cr<:^ 



r^ .^ CCC^C fC. cc 4C «3^c ccc <^c, <-c«r6 

4. ct <c cr"-^ 



c ^cc: «ccTc 



W ^- cCCC 

rcv ccca 

5 cCCCS 
e '■ ' ■ cc;«:'c 



entire 



. _ « c 

£■ <x c c^K2dc«x:cc^cc <^<c 



c • c cjc«i«c3i[^ccx.xc!c:rcvKc'c^4 
c ac<3iKc- «, .c <r<Ci^«zc: c^«X-:cc <^ < < <rcK -r c 

"ocdccc <c. «SsjE<i^£ c««rc . cc c\ ' ^<j^ c, 
^^«ias<c<^ ^: <®e:c^cl^ccc cc c <i.<s. ^ic- 






' cc«c <rtr c <jg^^ 

r <cc^ <r^^ >;J^'^ 
^ ^ c<r <c <:c <axc 



ccc <c«^<a 

C C C C<C^«! 



c c c fCmZn 



.■ ccc;<:<^cf 

c c<sr;<:cc<: 

^c <-^ict:ccc, 

3 ■:«Li-CC<g^C 

'tc?rc c 
<ccc< 



ik:« ^z:.^^cc« < 
e:v cr./-cc<rc 

<§:-. '^C^/: ccc - 
^< <rc:CCC_<r.: 



^^gCttaac?Qs^^g;Q!7s:;g^sy!:)ggacg;y;: ^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



^i c<r^:«'^c ci_^ 



;> :?gCQ;:)^;!^gg£ag < :*gg > i^gg^g^csge^ 



^cc vC«r^<« 
jccc <^^ , 

..CCC cC <S^ « 
Tea r «iK' 

^'cc c <i5^r 

e ^;<'c .'C ^K^ 

Gic •<^_^ccc cC « 
cc ^:v cr :c 

CS^^«^^?c<C 4^3C 

c<q^<j:' '-< _ ^cci 



:c cc 

.<r : cc ^^TK 



i<m.k. c<c 



cc c<i-< _ 

JCCCCjCC CC ^^^fe^^^ 

^^ '^cr< C CCC "CC <:^BKi^^^ C 'C 
# C^<iC <c X^^ -^^5^^ 






Tc<C C ct 



r <^t'^< c 

c C^CtC c 

' r ■<j<.;CC 



CCC^'«L<' < 



. ^ ^aSTK, ^^ Cc ^C« f 

c cTOSC: <^CCf tsx ' 

X c:c^^ ^fC cc<^^^ ' 

^ c"<i!e^ «scr>4C <CC- 



crot^; 



<r ^'fC^-' <C C 



<c - <r c^- «3^«-^ cc 4sr '• < 

cc <::c<?8s: <c^^: cc c«c:c< 
cc «c:c:*r<g^t" -"c <«^^c< 

cc <r c««^: OSS**.*:' • '< <ttcrsr< 
<C C c^sCi «£:<icf *^-^^< 

c< cl c/^'ccj- c^^cy; ^ c<iccrc:.<: 



c ^fe. ^^c^ «c<^c^^ C C CC^C <g^. c 
c cii^<C ^C cs^f c CC Cfe-ccc.^^c 
> xa^^ff <ifc<c' '.<«:< ^f cc c <Lc<,.c<: «!,' 

c ^mr ^^ -iC <«rcc -C'c;<r5< cc «.-< 

: <rccc;cc c ^cc"'" ' 



«^ «^c -' '^<i -c car <jc «.^< 

c <«rcc c^ccr<sc c< c.<' 



c<s 
cC 



c«2 



c -c '. r .-C: 
c^sC<:#t:c^ 
^c#iC?' CCC 



': C dCCC CC C CC CC^ ' 

cc <r£r< cc c ccoeK -ccccc^?^-^; 
r <Cr^ c c <CdCcc CCCCCjc2::'C^^ 
' c ■ ^iscc c- c. <osi< dec c<^<;^^.^ 
c <L<sc<c'Cg_'" «::^; «ccc cc^&4c^^ 
c <j#:C cc^ "^3&: -^c- <^<3^<^^^/ 
^ <2<esCcccc- <r'«c: ^ cic cc^^- -^ *^ 
'- CL<s«c<s cd. c:«ac: ■ '-^x- . cacrc < 



c <s«cr <5<; c 
. c<s<<r «^.cc 
< c<2^ ^fe 

cC<£<«l 5-^^' 

c<BC^' e 
'CxSCC ^ 
ccccc < 
c orcc 



5 ^c<^< <rc"caf c 



~ ^ - 






<59ci fe' c <t: 



<a:c4^ 



^ic^c<.<i\ <r^^- 






Cc <:<r ..-r adcK jr ^C" ci <rc*^' ^- 









cc - 

cc^ . 



-^ S S f^ -S^"«^^<^ ^' -^c: '-c ■' <s. 

jC C c 4^-'< . ^:^^ c . C«r .c ^ >^ 

^ c <. ^:7^Cv-,^cai«cr- c, c-vc ^c < 



. <g«:c ' 

€^C 

«<:cs c 

. «sr<<sc ' 

«<c<:<c 



<C1CC 

^i:c< 
<c:c ^ 

«CC'« 









^g^^^^^ 



<r<:<ac 



^-c:«-> 'SS^' 
<r:<c^c c^^^ 



<^^c c <:. < c «sc «- cr o «^ cL-c^ c. <i:c«8C ^ < 

s^-<^^c c<^ir<x ex ^<:: <Gc:. r<^ 

s:\c ccf €<: oci:^ ^joct' < ^rc<Tc 
C'-^ <^:->.c-c:'«: <isC- <ac^ cr-«cr c <3r^c 

<<S:€,C<f <CC< -c* CC<;'C<C <SC '.0 

..<i,'..c^<-- <iE:c- •c<:C'<rc <l ■cc''-<^c?.-c c <3^c ■^■r 
_; cs •■ c C'<s::«."-c« >«sv '.C'<<:«.<i^ «c^ cc. •■•'■< vV c <zic<-c- '■■ 

1- e^- •<• c?<«i«Sr:«. ^x cCfl«c:<ic<l<C <C7 ••<:< «*,<», C"<" «::_.<cc« <•; 

. c.cccr««^'« <iCs ^ ^-c<<rc<c<rx cr ccOf^rccc «c c-.<?Cf <r.^ 

£i cc <«j^:j <c <<r c '<: c c d c c c cc - c^'c^^c: d <r «- - ^v 
c ; cccv^sec <£. c< < '< <riic<l 1 c ccc ■ <- T^<<i«f" c «<'^-" c- 
< c?3Cg: cc, cc ■< r-c'c ctC c <- <r -cc .^.le «r«iir c^ «:' <r - c^r. 
<U<i«^C^<C cr-v 'cc<lC'cc:ccr^ ^cr.«iC ' 
«rvC?tiic<3: ccxc ^x^iCjE^xci cc . «?:*-<, <c<f5fr ctc- ex ^^ -- _ 

CrCC V CSr C <ac^Klt Cd' <-& >c? <^<^. ccCCC^ o-K- 

t'cc^c" c..- <r cC'^:«<-«C^-.Cd:^<:c cccogiC'GCrc^'c. ccccvici <^_-^ 

c«.Tf«c: <■■ *3:"<5r «"'-'^<^'-«ei'' cdl' c<v.cc<t;<acr^'«cr«CS^C c«ir^:' «<1.^' -_ 



^x<rcc cccfc c 

<?;c:c<?: <cc.c^ C(i 

'CC>CC;C 

<C:(ro<r> Q^ICl: . CC4Xi 

: ocSi-'Cc ^'C: fsscx: ^ cc^ 

. C^^^'C^S-'i . '^Cr '- c <r< 

<i.'..c^<-- ^ec' -cdc 

_ cs- •■ c C'<s::«."-c« >«sv I. C'<<: 

1, e^. «. c?<<o«Sr« ^X" f Cc ^ 

t.CC Ct^a^- « <iK . 'C<.<1 < 

_ <j:9^'rC<ss^^:'i ■€?:<:. :r<:^f<7 , 

<:^' "-:<:<m^' ':■■ <c^.-- c--" 

£i cc<«j^::<l: <<r a 

1. ; tccv^sec <£. c< < '< cii( 






c <rr:cc: ^^-<^ "^^v 

-oc -^^cc <: <pc<i<cc -c^*-*^ .^exj.-'^ 
•^■^^^r .■recce <r o^ar.:- «^ 
cd^cdc?;- c:. v«xr:' 'fc 
■cc:''-<^c<-'-<c d' <3^c ■-< 

Cd';^'' ■<<•«: C iCsX-C- '^' 

cc^fcccd d c-,ccf c<rcf«: '^^'r^ 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



SECOND CONGRESS 



OF 



FRUIT GROWERS, 



OONYENED UNDER THE AUSPICES 



OF THE 



AMERICAN INSTITUTE, 

IN TPIE CITY OF NEW-YORK, 1849. 



ALBANY: 

CHARLES VAN liENTIl ITi'SEN, PRINTER. 
1850. 



PROCEEDINGS 



1^ 

OF THE 




SECOND CONGRESS 



OF 



FRUIT GROWERS, 



CONVENED UNDER THE AUSPICES 



OF THE 



AMERICAI INSTITUTE, 

^' IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK, 1849. 



ALBANY: 

CHARLES VAiN BENTHUYSEN, PRINTER. 
1850. 



<:^ ic 



S35-f- 



PROCEEDINGS. 

FIRST BAY.— Tuesday, October 2, 1849. 



MORNING SESSION. 



The Congress was called to order at 11 o'clock, by the Hon. 
Marshall P, Wilder, of Massachusetts, the President, who took 
the chair. Messrs. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, P. Barrt, of Ro- 
chester, and George Deacon, of Burlington, N. J., Secretaries, ap- 
peared in their places. 

The Chair called upon such of the Vice Presidents as were pre- 
sent to take seats upon the platform, and then observed, that he 
believed there were several Presidents and Vice Presidents of Horti- 
cultural Societies, in attendance, other than the Vice Presidents of 
this Congress. It was moved and voted that they likewise be invited 
to assume seats upon the stand. 

The President then said he was happy to meet, this morning, so 
many delegates in attendance, with whom he had the pleasure of 
shaking hands last year, and he was very happy also to meet the new 
delegates — gentlemen who had come up from various quarters, some 
of them from the far West, to aid in the deliberations of the Congress, 
and assist, by their knowledge and experience, in the effort to promote 
the spread of Pomological Science in the country. The field was a 
wide one, and no doubt it would be well filled. But he would not 
take up any more of the time of the Congress by remarks of his own, 
since it was already past the hour when it should have assembled, and 
it was important to proceed to business. The Secretaries had in their 
hands certificates and credentials from various parts of the country, 
and if there were any not yet handed in, now was the time to present 
them. 



And accordingly, numerous certificates and lists of delegates were 
passed over to the officers. 

Mr. S. Walker, of Massachusetts, moved that the President and 
Vice Presidents of the North American Pomological Convention, be 
requested to take seats and act as members of this Congress. Carried. 

For the purpose of facilitating business, the Chair desired gentle- 
men present to answer to their names as one of the Secretaries read 
the certificates that had been sent in, and, if they belonged to com- 
mittees, to state whether their associates, if not already in attendance^ 
would be present. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons then read the credentials in his possession, and 
from the responses it appeared that the subjoined States were repre- 
sented by the following gentlemen, most of whom were delegates 
from Horticultural Societies: 

Maine. 
State Agricultural Committee. — Henry Little, Bangor ; S. L. 
Goodale, Saco. 

Bangor Horticultural Society. — Albert Noyes. 

Vermont. 
Addison County Agricultural Society. — Solomon W. Jewett, Henry 

C. Hunt. 

Bennington County Agricultural Society. — Russell Mattison, Mar- 
tin Slocum, German Mattison. 

Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — Marshall P. Wilder, B. V. 
French, Samuel Walker, Robert Manning, C. M. Hovey. 

Essex Institute — Robert Manning. 

Worcester Horticultural Society. — S. H. Colton, D. W. Lincoln. 

JYew Bedford Horticultural Society. — William P. Jenney. 

Hampden County Horticultural Society. — J. T. Ames, B. K. Bliss, 
Titus Ammidon, Rufus Whittier. 

Berkshire County Horticultural Society. — Asahel Foote. 

Connecticut. 

JVew Haven County Horticultural Society. — George Gabriel, A. S. 
Monson, M. D., John J. Walter, E. E. Clarke, James T. Gerry, S. 

D. Pardee, E. H. Bishop, M. D., Charles B. Lines. 
Hartford County Horticultural Society. — H. W. Terry. 



New- York. 

J\^ew-York State Agricultural Society. — Herman Wendell, M. D., 

Luther Tucker, James Wilson, William Thorburn. 

American Institute. — C. H. Hall, Benjamin Aycrigg, H. Meigs 
Lewis Morris, J. L. Phelps. 

Orange County Agricultural Society. — Andrew J, Downing, Charles 
Downing, Andrew Saul, Charles Hamilton. 

Buffalo Horticultural Society. — Benjamin Hodge, Lewis Eaton, 
Hiram Barton. 

Quems County Agricultural Society. — -G. W. Huntsman, R. B. 
Parsons, S. B. Parsons. 

Oswego Horticultural Society. — J. W. P. Allen. 
Genesee Valley Horticultural Society. — P. Barry. 
Clinton County Agricultural Society. — Jonathan Buttey. 
Greene County Agricultural Society. — T. L. Prevost. 
Columbia County Agricultural Society. — Elbridge G. Studley. 
Dutchess County Agricultural Society. — John R. Comstock. 
Fishkill Landing Farmers'' and Gardeners^ Club. — Charles Dubois, 
Daniel BrinkerhofF. 

New- Jersey. 

Pomological Society of Jersey City and Vicinity. — John Eltring- 
ham, M. C. Morgan, Henry Steele, George M. Danforth. 

JWw-Jersey Horticultural Society. — H. W. S. Cleveland, Ira B. 
Underbill, John S. Chambers. 

Essex County Institute. — Jabez W. Hayes, J. M. Ward, J. J. 
Mapes, William Patterson, Vv^illiam Reid, Moses B. Coe. 

Burlington County Agricultural Society. — Thomas Hancock, Georo"e 
Dugdale, George Deacon. 

JVortk American Phalanx Association. — Charles Sears, George B. 
Arnold. 

Pennsylvania. 
Pennsyhania Horticultural Society. — Thomas Hancock, William 
D. Brinckle, M. D., Robert Buist, J. E. Mitchell, Robert Hare, M. 
D., Thomas P. James, Thomas Ridgeway, Gerhard Smidtz. 

Chester County Horticultural Society. — Paschal! Morris, Thomas 
Harvey. 



, District or Columbia. 

Washington Horticultural Society. — Joshua Pierce. 

Georgia. 
Fruit Growers of Athens. — William N. White. 

Ohio. 

Cleveland Horticultural Society. — A. Mcintosh, William Case, L. 
Henderson, J. F. Jenkins, F. R. Elliott. 

Toledo Horticultural Society. — F. J. Scott, William Scott. 

Illinois and Wisconsin. 
Fruit Growers of Illinois and Wisconsin. — John A. Kennicott, 
M. D. 

Iowa. 
Southern Iowa Horticultural Society. — Greenleaf C. Neally. 

It being known that there were several gentlemen in the hall, not 
regularly appointed delegates from any society, who took great in- 
terest in Pomology, and whose counsel and assistance would be valua- 
ble to the Congress, it was unanimously voted, on motion of Mr. 
Walker of Massachusetts, that all such persons be invited to take 
seats with the members. 

The following named gentlemen accepted the invitation, and parti- 
cipated in the proceedings of the Congress : 
A. A. Edgarton, Danvers, Mass. 

F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn. 

L. T. Noble, New-York City, N. Y. * 

D. F. Manice, Hempstead, " 

J. B. Mantell, New-York Island, " 

G. P. Disosway, Staten Island, " 
Edward Smith, Ontario county, " 
Edward Stevens, Jersey City, N. Jersey. 
John O. Hughes, Trenton, " 
David Miller, Jr., Carlisle, Penn. 



John M. Summay 



u 



Delegates, 96 ; others, 11. Total, 107. 



A large number of others were present who did not hand in their 
names. 

The Congress being now ready to proceed, it was voted to appoint 
a committee of three, to receive the lists and make a registry of the 
different collections of fruits presented for consideration. The Chair 
appointed Messrs. Saul of New-York, Colton, of Massachusetts, 
and Reid, of New-Jersey. 

The Chair stated that a number of communications had been re- 
ceived, bringing to the notice of the Congress the important subject 
of the state of the cultivation of several fruits in certain and different 
localities. He suggested that all these be referred to the chairman 
of the General Fruit Committee, to be considered and reported upon 
if necessary, with any suggestions on the subject which might seem 
desirable. This course was adopted, and the communications referred 
accordingly. 

The President next called upon the chairman of the General 
Committee for a report. 

In answer to this call, Mr. A. J. Downing, of New-York, chair* 
man of the committee, offered the subjoined remarks : 

Mr. President, — I have had placed in my hands a series of reso- 
lutions passed at the late meeting of the North American Pomological 
Convention at Syracuse. They were, I believe, passed unanimously 
by that body ; and, as they have reference to the action of this meet- 
ing, I will beg your indulgence for asking attention to them. 

It affords me one of the most striking proofs of general interest in 
the public mind, on any topic of importance, when the same 
movement takes place in different parts of the country at the same 
time, without any concerted action, and simply from a conviction 
which has arisen, that such a step is demanded by the public good. 

Such a conviction, sir, gave rise to the formation of two Pomolog- 
ical Conventions in the year 1848 j one held at Buffalo, and the other 
in this city. The bare fact that two spontaneous movements were 
made to form national associations of this kind, proves, I repeat. 
y that the time had come when cultivators in the country at large felt 
the necessity of some National Association, which should be able to 
do, for the whole Union, what the Horticultural societies have done, 
and are doing for various states. 



8 

Butj sir, this spontaneous movement towards a good and laudable 
object, while it shows the public zeal in that object, is not, of itself, 
always sufficient to attain it. It is also necessary that there should 
be concert of action and unity of purpose^ to bring about any entirely 
satisfactory results, in a body which seeks to perform any useful acts 
for the country at large. Had the members of these two conven- 
tions, brought together by two separate calls (issued at about the 
same time,) all met in one body, there can be no doubt, from the real 
identity of the interests most important to all of them, that immediate 
and complete concert of action w^ould have been the result. It needs 
no demonstration to prove that the information which the public at 
large expects to derive from a National Convention of Fruit Grow- 
ers, and the importance which they will attach to the acts and deci- 
sions of such a body, must depend almost entirely upon its being 
composed of the aggregate of intelligence and practical knowledge 
of the whole country. In other words there must be, there can be, 
but one National Convention, in order to obtain the confidence and 
to influence the opinion of the country generally. 

I confess, sir, entertaining these views, that I am not a little grati- 
fied to find that the North American Convention, at its late session at 
Syracuse, has entertained the same opinion; and has accordingly ap- 
pointed a committee of five gentlemen, most of whom are here pre- 
sent, to confer with this Congress on the union or consolidation of 
the two bodies. I am confident that I speak the sentiments of every 
member of this Congress, when I say that, from the first, no other 
spirit has actuated it, or any member of it, but a hearty desire to do 
all, and everything, with a view to the establishment of a tndy JYa- 
tional Association^ based on no narrow or sectional feeling, but on 
the broadest spirit of nationality. 

Whatever fruits may be cherished and recommended for culture by 
a Convention of Fruit Growlers, it is plain to me, sir, that the first 
fruit on the rejected list should be the " apple of discord." (Ap- 
plause.) I therefore, confident of the unanimous concurrence of this 
body, move that a committee of five be appointed to meet the com- 
mittee sent here by the North American Pomological Convention, to 
confer upon some plan of consolidating the two bodies, and to report 
to this Convention during its present session. 
This motion was put and unanimously adopted. 
Dr. Herman Wendell, of New-York, then remarked, that as 
chairman of the committee of the North American Pomological Con- 



vention which had been recently in session at Syracuse, he had great 
pleasure in presenting the preamble and resolution unanimously 
adopted by that body. But before reading them he would beg leave 
simply to observe that the feelings of kindness suggested by Mr. 
Downing, in his remarks, as existing towards that Convention, by 
this Congress, were fully reciprocated on the part of the members of 
that assemblage. Dr. W. then read the preamble and resolution, 
which are as follows: 

" Whereas the National Pomological Convention held at BufTalo 
in September of 1848, under the auspices of the New-York State 
Agricultural Society, composed of delegates from fifteen States and 
the two Canadas, was the first general Convention of such character 
ever convened in the United States, and whereas that convention 
unanimously resolved, that hereafter an annual Convention of like 
character should be held under the title of the North American Po- 
mological Convention, that the first meeting with that title should be 
held in the autumn of '49, at the place where the great Fair of the 
New- York State Agricultural Society was to be held, and on the day 
succeeding the close of said Fair, therefore we consider this Conven- 
tion entitled by courtesy to perpetuate itself, but being aware that a 
convention of an analogous character, was held in the city of New- 
York in the Autumn of '48, and that said convention organized itself 
into a permanent association, under the title of the American Con- 
gress of Fruit Growers, which is to assemble in said city of New- 
York on the 10th day of October next, and believing that the 
advancement of Pomological Science, as well as the inclination asd 
interests of Pomologists throughout this continent, will be best pro- 
moted, by a merging of the two apparent conflicting associations into 
one general organization for future operations, therefore, be it 

" Resolved by this Convention, that a committee of five be desio-- 
nated by its President, whose duty it shall be to attend the comino- 
session of the American Congress of Fruit Growers, and confer with 
the said Congress, or a committee whom they may select, in relation 
to the meeting of the two associations, and as far as this Convention 
is interested, the settling of questions of priority of organization, 
places of next meeting, and title of Association, shall be left to the 
committees whom the two organizations may appoint, and that we 
will exert ourselves to induce a general attendance of those interest- 
ed, wherever the joint committee determine the next Convention 



10 

shall be held, but we cannot omit giving it as our opinion, that the 
cause of Pomological Science will be most promoted, and the feel- 
ings of the great mass of Pomologists best satisfied, if the next meet- 
ing should be held in Cincinnati, or some other western city." 

Dr. Wendell then announced to the President, that Dr. Kenni- 
coTT, F. R. Elliott, Charles Downing, James J. Mapes, Benja- 
min Hodge and himself, the committee of the North American Po- 
moloo-ical Convention, to confer with this Congress, or a committee 
of it, in relation to the matters referred to, in the preamble and reso- 
lution which he had just read, were present, and waited the further 
action of this Congress. 

The Chair then appointed as the committee under Mr. Downing's 
motion, Messrs. A. J. Downing, of New- York, Walker, of Massa- 
chusetts, Brinckle, of Pennsylvania, Monson, of Connecticut, and 
McIntosh, of Ohio. 

Dr. Wendell, suggested that as the committee of the North 
American Convention consisted of six, it would be proper to have 
the same number from this Congress, and he moved that the Presi- 
dent be added. Carried unanimously. 

Mr. A. J. Downing remarked, that several reports had been placed 
in his hands, of which it was impossible yet to give a digest ; but 
there was one subject of considerable importance, which had been 
presented to the last Convention, on which he had something to offer 
for consideration. He meant the subject of rejected fruits. The 
committee on the part of Massachusetts, had submitted to the gener- 
al committee a list of such pears as in their opinion, might be placed 
upon the rejected list. This list he should be happy to present to 
the Congress, name by name. If we could, at this session, succeed 
in rejecting a number of worthless fruits, which were continued in 
the catalogue only from courtesy, it would be a great step gained. 

On motion, it was voted that the fruits on the list be taken up, 
and considered separately. 

Mr. Downing said the first on the list, were four varieties of pears; 
the Alexander of Russia, the Admiral, the Aston Town, and the Am- 
hrosia. It was proposed that the Congress should reject them all. 

The Chair observed that they had been proved in the vicinity of 
Boston, by the President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 
and others, and pronounced far inferior to a vast many other varie- 



11 

ties. If no other objection was madej they would be considered as 
rejected. 

Mr. French, of Massachusetts, was not prepared to proceed in 
this way. The four pears now named, might be worthless enough, 
and he was willing they should be superseded ; but he feared the 
course proposed to be taken, might lead to evil results in the end. 
It appeared to him, that it would be enough for this Congress to rule 
fruits in ; for its members to decide among themselves, what they 
really approved, and leave to the wise in the community, to say 
whether they would cultivate other varieties or not. He made 
these remarks because it might happen that a pear, a third rate one 
perhaps, as the Buffum, would be erased from the list to be cultiva- 
ted ; and that such subsequent differences of opinion in regard to it 
might arise, as to make gentlemen sorry for what they had done. 
Suppose this Congress should rule a fruit out, and the next should 
rule it in ; what weight could be attached to the decision of either 1 
He knew the catalogue was much too large ; in regard to the apple, 
for instance, instead of the present cumbersome list, one of about 
thirty good varieties, was as much as any person ought to expect or de- 
sire ; but there might be a difference of opinion, even in that. He 
wished the Congress not to decide upon excluding any fruits, but to 
rule in, and recommend a few of the best, and leave the public to 
gather from them as they chose. 

Mr. Walker, of Massachusetts, observed that the list was made 
out under the directions of the last convention. There did appear to be 
a large majority of the members last year, that not only wished, but 
demanded a list of rejected fruits. He thought, then, that we were 
not ready for it, but the meeting did request the several State com- 
mittees, to report to the general committee, a list of worthless fruits, 
in their respective States. The Massachusetts committee had only 
obeyed these instructions of the convention ; and in so doing, they 
tad followed the example of the London Horticultural Society, which 
as every gentleman knew, placed a cipher against the names of 
worthless fruits in the catalogue. These four pears were among 
them, and there were about 160 pears rejected, in all, by that Socie- 
ty, if he rightly remembered. It was undeniable, that there were 
large numbers of worthless pears and apples, which ought to be 
ruled out of good company. 



12 

Mr. HovEY, of Massachusetts, said he was not present when the 
vote referred to was taken, last year, and did not now know whether 
he should have opposed it or not. But he agreed with Mr. French, 
that we ought to act very cautiously indeed, and he should prefer 
that the Congress restrict itself to recommending such fruits as were 
really worthy of it, and leaving the public to take its own course. 
Mr. Walker had said that the London society had rejected many 
pears. He was aware of it, and that the Ambrosia was one of them. 
Yet the Ambrosia was by many persons considered first rate. He 
should not deny that there were many in the catalogue utterly worth- 
less for cultivation ; neither could it be denied that in this country 
there was a vast number of seedling pears coming up every day, 
and it might be that in time we should have an American list, so 
good that all others would be rejected. But cultivators who wished 
a large number of varieties would not do so. People differed as to 
fruits, according to the different objects for which they wanted them. 
He might instance, as to this, the Old Bell pear, which amateurs 
mio-ht wish to have rejected, but which cultivators would not give up 
on account of its superior productiveness, and great profitableness as 
a market pear. He had never fruited the Ambrosia, but he trusted 
that no fruit would be rejected on hearsay. Again, some on the pro- 
posed rejected list might be synonyms, and not the true variety. 
Though in favor of reducing the list, he hoped we should not go too 
fast, nor reject any except those we knew to be worthless. 

Mr. Hayes, of JSew-Jersey,said that although the convention last 
year did pass the vote spoken of by Mr. Walker, yet it appeared 
to many members that it would be much better to select, and make 
out a list of best fruits in the first place. Massachusetts had sent in 
this list as being worthless with her ; but in other parts of the country 
many of these same friiits might prove of excellent quality. A dis- 
tance of only half a mile in location, sometimes made great differ- 
ence in quality. The St. Michael pear, for instance, was worthless 
at Boston, but in western New-York it was one of the best, and it 
would rule in the market, even though ruled out of it by us. 

The Chair observed that from an experience of fifteen years there 
eould be no doubt that some varieties, in comparison ivitk other fruitsj 
were worthless all over the United States ; and he believed the com- 
mittee only intended, in their report, that such had better be extermi- 
nated. Still he wished to proceed very carefully, and if any gentle- 



13 

man objected to the rejection of any fruit, he would let it stand. As 
to these four pears, there were over a hundred others infinitely su- 
perior to them, and if they could be put out of sight it would be the 
better for us, 

Mr. Hancock, of New Jersey, remarked that the Jiston Town always 
cracked badly with him. He had never been able to raise a good 
crop. 

Mr. HovEY moved that all the fruits recommended to be placed 
upon the rejected list should so be done without debate, unless objec- 
tions were made. 

Mr. Hayes hoped that the committee would give some reasons for 
the rejection of the fruits. 

Mr. Downing replied that if we should calculate ninety fer cent. 
of the millions of fruit trees in this country, to be really not valuable 
for general cultivation, and if we could supply their places with others 
unquestionably good, certainly that would be a very desirable result. 
He was very far from supposing that the present list could be adopt- 
ed exactly as it stood, but if a congress like this, composed of gen- 
tlemen from all parts of the country, from Bangor to Hlinois and 
Iowa, could agree upon any thirty varieties, for example, which it 
was not worth while to cultivate, in that case a great step would as- 
suredly have been taken. 

Mr. French said that he likewise was absent last year when the 
vote spoken of was taken, but he must still continue to think it bet- 
ter to agree only on a list of such fruits as were worthy of cultivation. 
He acknowledged these four pears under consideration to be good for 
nothing, but coming down to the Buffiim pear, (which, perhaps, he 
had marked a step too high before, and which might not be regarded 
as more than fourth rate,) that was a hardy tree and good bearer. 
True, there were fifty other varieties whose fruit was far better, but 
it did appear to him better for the congress to confine itself to a re- 
commendation of what its members thought best, than to undertake 
to proscribe any variety. 

Mr. Walker rejoined that the committee had no wish whatever to 
strike otf a single pear, if it were not desired by the congress. Mem- 
bers, and the people generally, wanted to know what varieties were 
in fact worthless on the whole, so as to avoid purchasing them. 
Every gentleman could judge for himself what suited him, but it was 
desirable that all should be enabled to profit by the experience of 



14 

each other. Such was the idea entertained by the Massachusetts por- 
tion of the committee, and on that principle its report had been made. 
As to its reliability, he thought that a uniform experience of ten, fif- 
teen or twenty years, was pretty good authority. If the congress 
should agree to strike off one in every ten proposed in the report, he 
should be as satisfied as though it were adopted entire, for he should 
consider that a large gain had been attained. But if gentlemen were 
still determined to go through an experiment individually with all 
varieties of fruits, whether proposed to be rejected or not, why thea 
all the collective experience here would simply go for nothing. 
Every body could try and judge for himself on each fruit presented ; 
but it was to afford each one the benefit of the collective experience 
of the whole mass, that this assemblage of Fruit Growers had come 
into existence. Mr. Walker said he differed from his friend, (Mr. 
Fre.nxh,) as to the Buff'um pear, and placed it side by side with the 
St. Michael. 

Mr Hayes wished to give all parts of the Union the advantage of 
proving and profiting by the decisions of the Congress. If a list of 
best fruits were established and published, they would have that ben- 
efit. Let an approved list be first given out, and then as we went on, 
we might come down to poorer and poorer, till we satisfactorily ar- 
rived at such as were not worthy of any attention at all. 

Mr. Barry of New- York said that in regard to this list, many gen- 
tlemen might hear the names of varieties of which they knew abso- 
lutely nothing, and as to which, of course, they could not judge from 
experience. He knew nothing of these four pears, but was willing 
to reject them all on the testimony of those who did. Now, this was 
a list from Massachusetts ; these fruits were worthless there, and if 
they should be cast out of cultivation in that State, in consequence of 
the adoption of the list, some one good purpose at least would be ef- 
fected. 

Mr. Hancock thought that Mr. French misapprehended the state 
of the question. He did not, himself, consider this as a list of fruits 
rejected by this Congress, but only a list of those rejected so far as 
cultivation in Massachusetts was concerned. It was prepared for that 
State, and would, he supposed, be followed up by similar reports from 
other States in diff'erent parts of the land. He conceived this to be 
the only feasible way of getting at the desired result, and if it were 
as he imagined, then this was only a rejected list for Massachusetts, 



15 

and not a general list of rejected pears sent forth under the authority 
of the Congress. 

Mr. S. J3. Parsons rather regretted to observe an indisposition to 
establish a list of rejected fruits. The Convention of last year, and 
the present Congress, had assembled for the purpose of collecting, and 
afterwards publicly diffusing all the knowledge concerning the cul- 
ture of fruits, the varieties to be preferred, and those to be avoided, 
which it was possible to obtain. This body was engaged in laying 
•down a pomological chart, on which it was certainly very desirable, 
not only to trace a channel for full, good and safe navigation, but also 
to point out distinctly, all the shoals and quicksands and not oblige 
mariners to discover them by running upon them. He therefore 
hoped that the list would be considered and adopted, so far as might 
be deemed expedient for general information. 

Dr. Kennicott of Illinois hoped that a rejected list would be de- 
cided upon ; as otherwise, fruit-growers would never get a settled and 
approved list. A beginning ought to be made, and if we couUl begin 
at both ends, recommending some varieties and rejecting others alto- 
gether, so much the better. 

Mr. Underhill, of New-Jersey, said we had so great a variety of 
country and climate, that it seemed as if rejected fruits should be 
considered as rejected only for particular localities and conditions. 
It was impossible to make a list of rejected varieties that should be 
applicable, in all respects, to the whole country, but each portion 
must judge for itself. 

Mr. Hancock moved that the list offered be considered and entered 
on the records, as from the Massachusetts committee, and applicable 
only to Massachusetts, The congress must come to that in the end, 
for every State locality, if the present course was to be pursued ; 
for it was impossible to frame a list of fruits that ought to be rejected 
throughout the whole country, from Maine and Massachusetts in the 
North, to North Carolina and Georgia in the South, and Illinois and 
Wisconsin in the West. For himself, in regard to the Amhrosia pear, 
he had fruited that variety, and found it good for two years, and the 
^same had been the case in his neighborhood. 

Mr. Downing said that if the basis spoken of by the last gentle- 
man were to be adopted, it would be just as impossible to agree upon 
a list to be recommended as upon one to be rejected. No one variety 
could be proposed as being universally or equally good in all sections 



16 

of the country ; but there were some few plain, obvious principles, 
which would hold in the decision as to each fruit as it came up. If, 
for instance, the Ambrosia pear should be pronounced good in any 
considerable region, then it ought not to be rejected. No variety 
should be placed on the list of rejected fruits, whilst there was any 
hope that it might prove to be good. 

Mr. HovEY agreed with the last speaker, and it was because he 
did so that he had moved that any fruit on the rejected list, to the 
prohibition of which any gentleman might except, be retained. Yet, 
if we could only agree on abandoning ten worthless varieties, some 
advantage would be gained, and the beginning of a useful result 
would be reached. 

Mr. Noble, of New-York, inquired whether the report under con- 
sideration was a report from the fruit committee of this congress or 
not? 

Mr. Walker, in reply, stated that the list of pears proposed to be 
rejected was made out by the sub-committee on the part of Massa- 
chusetts, and reported by them to the general committee, which body 
now laid it before the congress as its own report. Massachusetts had 
nothing more to do with it. 

Mr. Downing informed the congress that the statement of Mr. 
Walker was entirely correct, and that, moreover, before submitting 
the list under consideration, the general committee had stricken off 
several varieties that the Massachusetts sub-committee proposed to 
reject. 

Dr. MoNSON, of Connecticut, wished to know if these gentlemen 
who advocated a rejection, on the one side, and those who disap- 
proved of it, on the other, had a general practical experience of the 
success or failure of the fruits under consideration 1 or were they 
like the physician w^ho — finding that an English patient, who ate of 
Westphalia ham while under treatment for a fever, recovered from 
the disease, thereupon prescribed the same article to a Scotchman 
suffering from the same malatly, who nevertheless died — entered it 
upon his books that Westphalia ham would cure an Englishman, but 
kill a Scotchman ? Of course, there would be differences in the re- 
sult of cultivating the same fruit in different sections of the country, 
different climates, and different soils ; but if it should be found that 
any one variety was bad at Boston and also at Syracuse, he would 
have nothino; to do with it. 



17 

The question being on Mr. Hancock's motion, that the proposed 
list be considered as only applicable to rejected varieties, for Massa- 
chusetts, 

Mr. Walker objected to that motion, as out of order. The report 
was not a report from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, nor 
from the Massachusetts portion of the general fruit committee of this 
Congress. It was the report of the whole of that committee, under 
the orders of the convention of last year. And some gentlemen had 
been entirely mistaken in the grounds which they assumed in oppo- 
sition to its adoption. It did not propose to exclude from general 
cultivation all such fruits as were found not to answer in Massa- 
chusetts. The contrary was the fact ; for while the St. Michael's 
pear, known to be excellent in New- York as the Virgalieu, and in 
Philadelphia as the Butter pear, was utterly worthless in Boston, the 
committee had not even proposed to exclude it. But when, from 
our own experience and the testimony of others, a variety was good 
for nothing at Boston, equally bad here, worse perhaps in Philadel- 
phia, and totally unworthy of cultivation at Cincinnati, then, on this 
united testimony of its worthlessness everywhere, the committee had 
decided to recommend its rejection. 

Mr. Hancock expressed himself satisfied. He had got the expla- 
nation that he desired, and was perfectly willing to withdraw his 
motion. 

The question then recurred on Mr. Hovey's motion, which was 
adopted, with an amendment providing that the names of the object- 
ors to the rejection of any particular variety of fruit, should be en- 
tered on the records. 

So it was decided that the fruits contained on the rejected list, 
should be taken up seriatim : those varieties to which no objection 
was made, should be rejected without debate ; those to whose 
rejection any gentleman did object, should be stricken from the list. 
The names of objectors to be recorded in each instance. 

This matter thus being settled, Mr. Downing again commenced the 
reading of the list of rejected fruits. / 

[The rejected fruits on which no discussion took place, will be 
/ound in the fruit lists towards the end of this report. The debates 
that occurred on fruits proposed for rejection, but retained, and on 
others proposed for general cultivation, will be found in the following 
pages, in the order of their occurrence.] 

2 



18 



PEARS WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT. 

Ambrosia. — Objected to by Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
retained. 

Amande Double. — Objected to by Mr. Manice, of Long Isl- 
and, N. Y. 

Beurre d?Elbec. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass. 

Boucquia. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass. 

Bergamotte Parthenay. — Objected to by Mr. Mantell, of New- 
York Island. 

Cumberland. — Objected to by Mr. Manice, of Long Island. He 
considered it a good baking pear. 

Colmar d'Efe. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Mass., and 
Mr. Mantell, of New-York. 

Enfant Prodige. — Objected to by Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, 
New-York. 

Fondante d'Efe. — Objected to by Mr. Gabriel, of New-Haven, 
Conn. With him it was a superior pear on quince stock. 

Gi7og-i/.— Objected to by Mr. Reid, of Elizabethtown, N. J, With 
him it was a good pear on quince. Also, by Mantell, of N. Y. It 
was good on quince with him. 

Lodge. — Objected to by Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, Penn., 
and Mr. Hancock, of Burlington, N. J. 

Vallee Pranche. — Objected to by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass. 

Windsor. — Objected to by Mr. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio ; 
Mr. Reid, of Elizabethtown, N. J.; Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass j 
and Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y. 

Rousselet de Stuttgardt. — Objected to by Mr. Barry, of Roch- 
ester, N. Y. 

Bdle de Bruxelles. — Objected to by Mr. Barry, of Rochester, 
with him it was a fine, beautiful fruit. Also by Mr. Hovey, of Bos- 
ton, who had found it a very handsome and showy pear, and had 
often been offered a York shilling apiece for the fruit by visitors, who 
saw it growing on the tree at his establishment. Judging it by 
strictly Pomological rules, he thought it about a third rate fruit. 
Mr. Walker, of Boston, said the fruit was handsome, indeed, but 
utterly worthless. It was, perhaps, the most deceptive variety in the 
whole catalogue. He apprehended his friend Hovey did not sell it 
because it was all show and nothing else. He, too, had had frequent 
applications to sell it, but had always advised people to taste the 



19 

fruit before purchasing, and had generally found th; t the first taste 
was quite sufficient. 

Mr. Downing then said that the remainder of the list, so far as it 
•was ready, which it was proposed to reject, consisted of Apples. 

[As with the Pears, the Apples which were rejected 7iem. con. will 
be found in the list of rejected fruits.] 

The only other varieties were the following : 

APPLES WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT. 

Black Ap'ple. — Objected to by Mr. Hayes, of New Jersey. 

Winter Pearmain. — Objected to by Mr. Hancock, of Burlington, 
N. J., and Mr. Hovey, of Boston. Mr. French, of Braintree, Mass., 
said it was a very excellent apple, but he thought it hardly worth 
cultivation, since it was so shy a bearer. 

This completed the list of fruits proposed for rejection, so far as 
the committee was prepared at present to offer it. 

The Chair communicated a letter from the Pennsylvania Horti- 
cultural Society, inviting the Congress to hold its next session at 
Philadelphia, and offering to provide a hall and all requisite accom- 
modations. On motion of Dr. Wendell, it was referred to the com- 
mittee appointed under Mr. Downing' s motion. 

On motion, it was voted that the officers of the American Institute 
be invited to take seats as members of this body. 

On motion of Mr. Walker, the Congress then adjourned, till half- 
past 3 o'clock. 

» Afternoon Session. 

The Congress came to order at 4 o'clock, the President in the 
chair. 

Mr. (President) Wilder, in behalf of the associated committees of 
the North American Pomological Convention, and of the present 
Congress, submitted the annexed report. 

The committee appointed for the purpose of conferring with the 
committee sent to this Congress by the North American Pomological 
Convention, on the propriety and practicability of uniting or consoli- 
■dating the two associations, respectfully report : 

That, finding the joint committee were fully convinced of the ad- 
vantage in all respects to the country at large, and to the cause of 
Pomology, of having but one National Convention of this kind, which 
should, as far as possible, embody all the talent and experience of 



20 

the land — a conviction which this Congress has always firmly held — • 
they had great pleasure and unanimity in immediately adopting the 
following resolutions : 

1st. Resolved, That the two Conventions, hitherto known as the 
North American Pomological Convention, and the American Congress 
of Fruit Growers, be hereby consolidated. 

2nd. Resolved, That the consolidated association shall hereafter 
be known as the "AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS." 

3rd. Resolved, That the next session of the Pomological Congress 
shall be held at Cincinnati, in the autumn of 1850, and that the time 
thereof be fixed by the President of this Congress, in conjunction 
with the President of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture ; and that 
notice of such meeting be given to all Agricultural, Horticultural and 
Pomological Societies throughout the country. 

4th. Resolved, That the meetings of this Congress, after the next 
session shall take place biennially, and that the meeting for 1852 
shall be held at Philadelphia. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

MARSHALL P. WILDER, 

Chairman. 

The question being on the acceptance of this report and the adop- 
tion of the resolutions, 

Mr. Hancock moved to strike from the fourth resolve the clause 
providing that the session for 1852 shall be held at Philadelphia. 

Mr. Walker was opposed to this motion. This Congress was 
honored with the presence of Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, who 
had been placed upon and had acted with the committee ; and after 
full discussion, it had been agreed, on the whole, that the course re- 
solved upon was the best that could be adopted. It would be too 
tedious to give a full explanation of the reasons which had governed the 
committee, but he hoped and trusted that the harmony of its decision, 
would not be disturbed in the Congress. If there was any one place 
above others at which he wished to meet his pomological friends and 
associates, it was Philadelphia. He wanted again to tread the beau- 
tiful hall in that city, and witness another splendid display of fruits 
and flowers within its walls. He wanted again to mingle in the 
crowds that thronged its precincts, and whatever squeeze gentlemen 
might be subjected to, he hoped they would not squeeze out of these 
resolutions the provision for assembling at Philadelphia in 1852. 



21 

Mr. HovEY remarked, that he had no objection to the resolution in 
itself, but he feared it might tend to create some sectional bias or pre- 
judice. He wished to know if the present officers and members of 
the Congress would hold over until the time in question. 

The Chair replied that they would not. New members must be 
chosen for the next Congress and new officers, after it had assembled. 

Mr. HovEY said he had so supposed ; and since there might be an 
entirely new set of delegates at Cincinnati, in courtesy to them at 
least, it would be well to leave the choice of a place for the suc- 
ceeding session in their hands. 

Mr, Hancock declared that if he had any personal choice in the 
matter, it was in favor of Philadelphia, but it was the precedent of 
fixing a place so long beforehand that he feared. He was well aware 
that none but the kindest feelings actuated the committee, but all pre- 
cedents which sometimes caused so much trouble, grew up in the 
same way; and if this Congress could fix the place of meeting two 
years in advance, it might do so for ten or twenty years ahead ; and 
though, individually, he should be glad to have the session of 1852 
held in Philadelphia, his favoritism would not suffer him to go beyond 
the expression of that individual feeling. 

The question was then put upon the motion to strike out, and it 
was rejected. The report was then accepted, and the resolutions 
adopted as they came from the committee. 

Mr. Gabriel, of New-Haven, said he wished to retract the objec- 
tion he made in the forenoon to the rejection of the Fonda7ite (P Ete 
Pear. He had in his mind at the time the Doye?m(i d? Ete. Accord- 
ingly the Fondatite d' Eie was again placed in the list of rejected 
pears. 

The General Fruit Committee was then called upon to proceed in 
its report. 

Mr. Downing begged leave to continue, by submitting for the ap- 
proval of the Congress, a list of fruits which the committee regarded 
as worthy of general cultivation. With regard to Pears the conven- 
tion of last year had recommended a considerable number of varie- 
ties, and it was now proposed to add a few others. And first, the 

Rostiezer Pear. — The President remarked that in the vicinity of 
Boston this pear ranked almost as high as the Seckel. 

Dr. Wendell stated that it bore the same character at Albany. 
He had fruited it, and found it one of the very best of pears. 



22 

Mr. Walker thought that the Rostiezer was imported by the Pre- 
sident some ten years ago for the late Mr. Manning, of Salem, Mass» 
If he recollected aright, that gentleman was looking, at the time, for 
second rate European pears — having found that many varieties 
which were classed as first rate abroad did not meet the expectations 
of fruit growers here, whilst others which were there placed only in 
the secondary class — in our climate, under our warm skies and be- 
neath our bright suns — deservedly ranked among the first. The 
Rostiezer was one of these. And from the first time he (Mr. W.) 
had tasted it until the last, he had had but one impression in regard 
to it — that the pear was among the very first-rate, comparing 
favorably with the Seckel as one of the sweetest and best pears. 
He knew that was saying a great deal, but he thought the future 
would bear out the assertion. 

The Rostiezer Pear was, without further remark, unanimously 
adopted as being worthy of general cultivation. 

Andrews Pear. — Col. Hodge, of Buffalo, N. Y., had uniformly 
found this a first rate pear. 

Mr. White, of Athens, Ga., had fruited it and always found it 
fine. 

Mr. CoLTON, of Worcester, Mass., said it was not always fine at 
Worcester, being apt to crack and be knurly. 

Mr. HovEY had never known it to crack, but it was knurly some- 
times. He had always found it one of the best of pears — the very 
best American variety we had. It was a very full bearer, so much 
so indeed, that it was difficult to get the wood to grow to vigorous 
strength. He knew one tree that had been grafted for sixty years 
and had always borne abundantly for forty. It was one of the best 
of pears. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Long Island, said it was a good bearer, but 
the fruit decayed at the core. 

Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio, found the same fault wnth it. 
Dr. MoNsoN, of New-Haven, Conn., bad fruited it two years and 
found it a good bearer. He never knew it to decay at the core. 

The President said that according to his experience it never 
cracked. Mr. Colton's case he thought must be a singular one. 

Mr. Barry, of Rochester, N. Y., was of opinion that the cracking 
might be owing to rot at the core. It had been found to be insipid 
and peer from that cau?e. 



23 

Mr. Hayes, of New-Jersey, considered the Andrews a very fine 
pear, and did not think it cracked more than any other variety. 

Mr. Manning, of Salem, Mass., had grown it for ten years at 
least, and was very sure he never saw it cracked or blighted, while 
on the other hand it was a good fruit and a great bearer. 

Mr. French said that Mr. Manning's soil was about as poor as 
any fruit growers', and this pear flourished excellently with him, as 
gentlemen had just heard. In his (Mr. F.'s) opinion, it was a fruit 
that no pomologist should suffer himself to be without. 
The Andrew's Pear was then adopted. 

Fulton Pear.-~~Mr. Barry considered this one of the best of pears, 
about equal to the White or Grey Doyenne. He could recommend it 
with all his heart. 

Mr. HovEY likewise thought it one of the best. It had the excel- 
lent property of ripening gradually. His attention was called to it 
about nine years ago, by the late Mr. Manning, who also regarded 
it as a very fine pear. It sold well in the market. 

Mr. Little, of Bangor, Me., said it had another good quality — 
that of being extremely hardy. This might be supposed, since it 
originated and flourished well in Maine. 

Col. HoDGE, of Buffalo, said with him it was one of the best pears. 
The Fulton Pear was adopted. 

[At this stage, Hon M. P. Wilder, the President, was constrained 
to leave by other public duties, and placed Samuel Walker, Esq., 
in the chair, who presided during the remaining sessions.] 

Fondante of' Automne Pear. — Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia, said 
that this was one of the very best in quality. 

Mr. White, of Athens, said it held the same character in Georgia. 
Mr. HovEY did not doubt it. But it might be well to add that 
the name Fondante d' Automne was a synonym, and that the varie- 
ty was introduced and first cultivated as the Belle Lucrative. It was 
so first described, also, in Loudon's Magazine, and he would move 
to amend by substituting Belle Lucrative as the name of this variety. 
Mr. French said that this pear certainly ranked deservedly very 
high, and no one wanting to cultivate good varieties, should be with- 
out it. 

Mr. Hovey's motion to amend was then carried, and the variety 
was adopted under the name of Belle Lucrative. 

Urbaniste Pear. — Mr. Walker remarked that this variety was fre- 



24 

quently imported as the Beurre Picquery, and was generally known 
in France by that name. It was adopted as the Urbaniste. 

Buffum Pear. — Col. Hodge had cultivated the BufFum for a num- 
ber of years, and though he was not prepared to reject it, he 
could not rank it higher than a second rate pear. It cracked, and 
the flavor was by no means superior. 

Mr. McIntosh, of Cleveland, had also cultivated it for several 
years, and must say that as to the fruit, it was hardly as good a& 
second rate. But as a market fruit, it was of the first quaUty. 

Mr. HoVEY said that this fruit was not of the first quality in res- 
pect to flavor, but the variety made a beautiful appearance as an or- 
namental tree, and it was, besides, a prodigious bearer, the fruit hang- 
ing on the branches like strings of onions. And if well conditioned, 
the Buffum pear was as good as the Doyenne, when well ripened. If 
eaten at the proper time, it was far above a second rate fruit. 

Mr. BuiST, of Philadelphia, remarked that it would require all the 
eloquence of gentlemen, and perhaps more, to raise this variety to the 
rank of a first class fruit. And he considered that what was wanted 
of this Congress, and what the Congress itself desired, was informa- 
tion as to, and decision upon, fruits, and fruits alone- — not in respect 
to their beauty as ornamental trees. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons agreed with the last speaker. The qualities of 
fruits as fruits, it was the object of the Congress to determine, as 
far as possible. 

Mr. Hancock said that in truth the Buffum pear ranked only as 
fourth rate, as the gentleman from Massachhsetts, (Mr. French) had 
this morning observed. And if that gentleman now asked this Con- 
gress to recommend it for general cultivation, for one, he, (Mr. H.) 
could not do it. 

Mr. French knew that the Bufl'um did not rule as high as many 
other varieties, but still it was w^orth cultivating. 

Mr. Downing reminded gentlemen that the Convention of last 
year had determined to cast out all such classifications as first rate, 
second rate, Sfc, and to adopt the designations of ^^good,^^ ^^very good,''^ 
•' best,^'' as more definite and useful. 

Mr. French said that then he should call the Buffum a good pear. 
Mr. Downing observed in continuation, that this was a list for ge- 
neral cultivation, not one recommended to amateurs alone. If a par- 
ticular fruit were only good, even if that were united with other 



26 

desirable qualities, productiveness, hardiness, &c.j he should be ret J 
•willing to recommend it for general cultivation. 

Dr. MoNSON thought this a very desirable pear to have when oth' 
ers were scarce. It was a good bearer and the tree was a beautiful 
one. Why not have such a variety on the list 1 

Mr. HovEY said the Buffum was a very good pear, though not of 
the best description. But suppose that a person could have but two 
trees ; though there were many better varieties which he would like 
to cultivate, would he not, on the whole, prefer a tree from which he 
could obtain four or six bushels of good pears for market, to one from 
which he could get only one and a half or two bushels ? And having 
but two trees, would he not desire that one of them, at least, should 
be a large bearer ? Of what use to a grower of fruit for the market 
would be a variety of greater excellence in itself, but of vastly great- 
er inferiority in point of bearing 1 And even, gentlemen who could 
afford to suit their fancy, did not want poor looking specimens in 
their grounds, and must therefore set some value upon the Buffum in 
consequence of the beauty of the tree. 

Mr. BuiST said that if this pear should pass muster as being first 
rate for its bearing qualities, still he could not recommend it as such 
to his friends. 

Mr. Miller of Carlisle, Pa. said that some thought the rating of a 
variety depended upon the foliage, others upon the beauty of the tree 
and others again upon the quality of the fruit. But surely the list 
was large enough to combine all these requisites. 

Mr. Hancock commented upon the statement that the Buffum was 
a good fruit for the market. But was he to go to the market to be 
imposed upon 1 If the fruit was good he cared nothing for the shape 
of the tree or what its appearance might be for a pleasure ground ; 
but if he had the finest looking tree in the world, if the fruit was good 
for nothing, he would throw it under his feet. He would not be one 
to advocate a fruit of inferior quality under the excuse that he had 
some trees to sell. He was a fruit raiser, but his friends should nev- 
er rise up against him charging him with having imposed on their ig- 
norance. 

Mr. Downing wished to correct the impression which the gentle* 
man appeared to entertain. If any fruit was not worthy to be borne 
on the list, the committee had no wish to press its being put there. 

Mr. Barry said that there were several things which entered into 
the consideration of quality. Flavor was one, and a very important oncj 



but there were others also. And he considered it hardly proper to 
insinuate anything unworthy or knavish against gentlemen who spoke 
of fruits, and their qualities as " market fruits." Fruits were raised 
for the market especially, and they must he. And eVery body knew 
that it Avas not always true, that a variety wdiich stood highest in point 
of flavor, bore the same rank on the market list. Take the Rhode Island 
Greening apple for example^ that fruit was not of first rate flavor, but it 
was so productive, so hardy, and so sure a crop, that we could not do 
without it. Just so with many other fruits. Flavor w^as the first 
quality to be looked at, if gentlemen chose, but there were many oth- 
ers besides. 

Mr. Hakcock did not differ from the gentleman last up. Let each 
variety of fruit stand or fall on its merits. He acknowledged good 
bearing to be a part of the merits, but he would not make that quali- 
ty a pretext for selling, to the simple, a fruit as being better than it 
really was. 

Mr. HovEY could not sit silent after hearing the remarks of the 
gentleman from New- Jersey, though his friend from Rochester had 
put the matter right before the Congress. But if all were to be ac- 
cused who raised fruit for sale in the market, and consulted conse- 
quently the value for market of different varieties, he knew of very 
few who would not come under the gentleman's lash. In general, 
persons who cultivated fruit trees did it for what? Orchardists who 
raised fruits did it for what? Why to sell in the market. Some 
very respectable and respected persons in the gentleman's own neigh- 
borhood could tell him that, if he w^ere ignorant of it himself. But 
in determing the value of a fruit for this purpose, saleableness, as 
well as color, flavor, hardiness, &c., must be estimated in the aggre- 
gate of its qualities^ and if it proved to combine a majority of such 
qualities, then it should be considered as worthy of cultivation. 

Mr. French said his only fear now was that this pear would not 
get into the list. If he could have but one apple, it should be the 
Rhode Island Greening, though that variety was neither so handsome 
nor of so good flavor as many others. And so of the Buffum pearj 
it had its superiors, but it was well worthy of cultivation, and it was 
a variety which no fruit grower should be without. 

Mr. Manning observed that even in regard to flavor the Buffum 
pear was sometimes found to be nearly first rate. Very much de- 
pended upon its ripening as to this. But flavor was not the only 
thing to be considered. Productiveness was another, and not an in- 



ferior one in many cases, Gansel's Bergamo tte was not to be pre- 
ferred to the Buffum if only a Hmited number of trees could be cul- 
tivated; for in the one case you would have perhaps half a bushel of 
very delicious fruit from each tree, and in the other two barrels of 
fruitj nearly as perfect if properly ripened. He should have no hesi- 
tation which to choose in such a state of things. 

Mr. Walker was under the impression, long ago, that the Buffum 
could not be near so good a fruit as he had found it to be within 
the last five or six years. When ripened under a temperature of 65° 
or 70°, constant day and night, it attained a very high degree of ex- 
cellence. Some of the very best judges, not knowing the perfection 
to which it had latterly been brought, on tasting it at Salem, declar- 
ed they could not tell what the pear was unless it was an excellent 
St. Michael. The fruit was very much improved by early picking, 
and ripening in the house. 

The Buffum pear was adopted. 

Vicar of Winkfield Pear. — Mr. Hovey proposed to amend by 
adding " or Le Cure^'' to avoid the danger to cultivators of importing 
under one name a variety which they already possessed under an- 
other. 

Mr. Downing said that next to settling the quality of fruits, to set- 
tle their nomenclature was of importance, and for that reason the 
committee had not felt obliged to report all the names by which a 
variety might be known, Nor did they deem such a course expedi- 
ent on this very account. 

Mr. HovEV said, if w^e could settle the nomenclature of fruits to 
the general satisfaction, why well and good. He knew that the Lon- 
don Horticultural Society had adopted the title of "Vicar of Wink- 
field, and that was good authority, so far as they were correct; but 
there was no good reason for following them in their errors. Le Cure 
w^as the shortest name, and the fruit had been known in France by 
that designation for twenty-five years. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons thought it very questionable propriety for this 
Congress to adopt synonyms of fruits at the present time. 

The question was then taken, and the pear adopted as the Vicar of 
Winkfield. 

Louise Bonne de Jersey Pear. — Mr. Pardee, of New- Haven, 
moved to strike out the qualification (" on quince stock") which the 



committee had Introduced. It was as fine as any other pear on its 
own stock. 

Mr. Downing said that with him it had not succeeded so well on 
pear as on quince. 

Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y., exhibited a dish of pears of this 
variety from Mr. Whittier, of Mass., which were grown on pear 
stock. They were as handsome as possible. 

Mr. HoYEY was in favor of striking out the qualification. The 
pear was great on either stock, and people could please themselves. 

Mr. Pardee said the fruit was uniformly very good on pear. 

Mr. McIntosh had grov/n it both on quince and pear, and had 
raised on the latter a fruit which he should certainly have considered 
first rate, had he not obtained a crop so much superior on quince. 
But he was willing the qualification should be stricken out. 

Mr. White, of Ga., said that if it was better on quince than on 
pear, it must be excellent indeed. 

The question was put, the motion to strike out carried, and then 

The Louise Bonne de Jersey Pear was adopted. 

VvedaWs St. Germain Pear. — The committee reported this variety 
as being excellent for baking, and it was adopted without debate. 

This completed the list of pears proposed by the committee for the 
approbation of the Congress, as being worthy of general cultivation, 

Mr. Downing said he had a small list of apples, and some other 
fruits also to offer. He would continue, therefore, by naming the 
apples. 

The first was the 

Porter Jlpple. — Mr. Hancock said that the Porter bore with him 
for the first time this season, and he found the fruit very poor and 

dry- 
Mr. McIntosh said that in Ohio it was one of the best of apples. 
Mr. HovEY had known the Porter for twenty years, and had never 
found it other than very good. He had had it from dwarf trees, and 
found it at the first bearing as good as he ever knew it ; but as a 
general thing it was best not to judge of any iruit by the first crop. 
The Porter was best in September. 

Col. Little introduced it on the Penobscot twenty-one years ago, 
and it was universally considered in Mame as one of the best apples 
grown in the state. 

Mr. Hancock regarded it as a second-rate grower, both in the nur- 
sery and on large trees. 



29 

Mr. Miller, of Carlisle had always found it very vigorous, upright 
and good. He suspected that Mr. Hancock's trees must be spurious. 

Mr. French had fruited it thirty-one years, and always found it 
excellent. 

The Porter Apple was adopted. 

Hubhardston JVonsuch Jlpple.—Co\. Hodge said that with him it 
proved very fine, and he should rank it No. 1. 

Mr. French remarked ihat it had not proved very thrifty with him, 
but it was a very popular apple and cultivators could not do without it. 

Mr. Hamilton of Orange county N. Y., said that with him it was 
a better grower than the Porter, and was a handsome, straight, thrif- 
ty tree. 

Mr. HovEY observed that it was quite as good and strong a grower 
as the Porter and had a very handsome head. It made as much wood 
in three years as the Baldwin in two. It was first introduced into 
Newton, Mass., several years ago, by Capt. Hyde, who found it whilst 
on a visit at Hubbardston, but could not learn whence it came. He 
brought down the scions in potatoes, and singularly enough they flour- 
ished. From these scions, thus brought to Newton, all the trees of 
this variety in the eastern part of New England came. If kept too 
long, say till March, the fruit became dry and its good qualities were 
sacrificed. But if eaten in January, it was very good. The Hubbards- 
ton JVonsuch apple was adopted. 

Fameuse apple. — Mr. French said that in November, when it would 
otherwise be difficult to find a table apple, the Fameuse was in 
good eating order. The fruit was of fine flavor, though not a very 
great grower. 

Col. Hodge had fruited it for twenty years. It required high cul- 
ture and when grown on rich land was one of the very best. It some- 
times bore too great a crop. It came from Canada. 

Mr. Miller had grown it on upland, and he concurred in the re- 
marks of Col. Hodge. 

Mr. McIntosh said that in Ohio they could not get it higher up 
than good; it was not very good. 

Mr. Downing regarded it as one of the very finest dessert apples. 

The Fameuse apple was adopted. 

Minister apple. — Mr. Buist inquired if this was the same as that 
awful, distorted, blue, green thing which he had seen at Providence 
under the same name 1 



30 

Mr. Manning replied that the apple now under consideration had 
none of those attributes. He did not know of any that he should prefer 
to it except the Baldwin, and if he could have but half a dozen trees, 
the Minister should certainly be one of them. 

Mr. HovEY had no doubt ihat Mr. Buist saw the Minister apple 
at Providence, though for his own part, he had never seen it either 
blue or green. He had however, seen the Baldwin of very little 
color. The Minister was a very fine flavored apple. 

Mr. Hancock said it was always of an ugly shape. 

Mr, Barry said it was very little known in Western New-York, 
and it was his impression that it was only within two or three years 
that it had been generally knov/n anywhere. It was entirely new 
to the Western States, and he thought it had not been sufficiently 
tested to warrant its approval by this Congress. 

Mr. BuiST said that this year the fruits that had been received 
from the East and the North, and recommended as being of the first 
quality, had not so proved in his climate. He assured the assembly 
that he would not allow the Minister apple to be propogated in his 
nursery this season. 

Mr. HovEY observed that the report before the Congress came 
from the general committee, as a list adapted for the whole country, 
and he hoped no gentleman would suppose that Eastern cultivators 
wished especially to add their own fruits to that list, if objected to by 
others. 

Mr. Hancock said that he spoke for Pennsylvania. He was on 
the committee for that State, and if the committee had consulted on 
this particular matter he was not present. And he doubted if the 
Minister apple was known to any member of the committee from 
Pennsylvania except himself. 

Mr. Downing made some general remarks about the duty of the 
committee in receiving recommendations of fruits from different parts 
of the country, and the course that had been taken in w^eighing them 
and deciding upon them. He had a paper from Pennsylvania recom- 
mending the Minister apple, and if he mistook not, the gentleman's 
own name was borne upon it. 
Mr. Hancock believed not. 

Mr. Saul moved to lay the question on the table, so far as re- 
garded any endorsement of the Minister apple on the part of the 
Congress, and this motion prevailed. 



31 

Danvers Wiyiter Sweet Apple. — Mr. Hancock saicl that this was a 
very good fruit, one of the best Eastern apples except the Baldwin. 

Col, Hodge had tried it for six or eight years, and had found it 
very good. 

The Danvers Winter Sweet apple was adopted. 

On motion of Mr. Saul, the Congress then voted to adjourn until 
9 o'clock the next mornins:. 



SECOND BAY.— Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1849. 

MORNING SESSION. 

The Congress came to order at half past 9 o'clock, Mr. Walker, 
President pro tern., in the chair. 

Mr. Downing, from the committee on the constitution and by- 
laws, submitted the following report : 

The committee appointed at the last sessidn to prepare a suitable 
constitution and by-laws, beg leave to report : 

That after a careful consideration of the subject, it has appeared 
wise to them not to encumber this body with a prolix constitution, 
but simply to offer a few concise by-laws, which should be sufficient 
for defining the general form and government of the association, 
without limiting its powers within any narrow or contracted bounds : 
leaving it for future legislation to provide for any unforeseen exigen- 
cies which may arise. They therefore propose, for the adoption of 
this body, the following 

By-Laws : 

1st. The officers of this Congress shall consist of a President, a 
Vice President from every State represented, (who shall, unless other- 
wise directed, be the President of some Horticultural Society of that 
State,) two Secretaries, a Treasurer, and a Genera] Fruit Committee. 

2nd. These officers, elected at one session of the Congress, shall 
hold their offices until the organization of the succeeding session, 
when a new election shall immediately take place, or until new offi- 
■^ cers are elected. 

3rd. The chairman of the Standing Fruit Committee of every Hor- 
ticultural Society in the United States and the Canadas, shall here- 
after be considered as composing the General Fruit Committee. 



32 

There shall be a chairman of the whole elected by this Congress, and 
the President of the Congress shall also be a member of this commit- 
tee, tx officio. 

4th. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all public 
meetings, and to perform the usual executive duties of the chair. 

5th. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to give notice of all 
meetings, to record the proceedings, and to conduct any necessary 
correspondence, under the direction of the President. 

6th. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse 
all monies collected by the Association, under the direction of the 
President, and to keep and render an accurate account of the same at 
each meeting. 

7th. It shall be the duty of the General Fruit Committee, to collect 
information on the subject of Fruit and Fruit Culture, and to report 
the same at every session of this Congress. 

A. J. DOWNING, 
J. W. KNEVELS, 
S. B. PARSONS, 

Committee. 

The question being on the acceptance of the report and the adop- 
tion of the proposed By-Laws, 

Mr. HovEY moved that they be taken up for consideration section 
by section. This motion was carried without opposition. 

The question being on adopting the first section — Mr. Hancock 
moved to strike out the provision that the Vice-President from each 
State shall be President of some Horticultural Society therein, and 
the motion was seconded by Dr. Wendell, 

Dr. Brinckle moved to refer the whole subject back to the com- 
mittee, with instructions to report at the next session. 

Mr. Downing said that one very important feature of the by-laws 
was that contemplating the appointment of a General Fruit Commit- 
tee, to collect information on the subject of Pomology, and report at 
each session. Should the present motion prevail, there could be no 
such report next year. The committee was not strenuous about any 
particular by-law or phraseology, but he did think it exceedingly 
important that a Fruit Committee should be appointed by the present 
Congress, and provision made for regular organization. 

Mr. Hancock and Dr. Wendell both hoped that the report would 
not be re-committed, and Dr. Brinckle thereupon withdrew his 
motion. 



33 

The question was then put on Mr. Hancock's motion, which pre- 
vailed, and, as thus amended, the first section was adopted. 

The second section was adopted as it stood in the report. 

The third section coming up — Mr. Hancock inquired whether it 
was the understanding that each Society in every State shouhl be re- 
presented in the General Fruit Committee ? 

Mr. Downing replied in the affirmative. The committee was to 
be composed of the chairmen of the Standing Fruit Committees of 
.all Societies in all the States and Canadas, with a general chairman to 
be chosen by the Congress. As chairman of the former General 
Committee, he had experienced much embarrassment in regard to con- 
ducting the necessary correspondence, and the proposed mode was 
intended as a remedy for that difficulty. 

Mr. Underhill, of New-Jesey, said there might be a difficulty 
about this, for in New- Jersey, for example, there were five Fruit 
Committees — the chairmen of all of which, under this rule, would be 
members of the General Committee of the Congress. 

Several gentlemen exclaimed — " the more, the better." 

Mr. FooTE, of Berkshire Co., Mass., asked whether all Societies, 
in each State, or only the several State Societies, were to be repre- 
sented 1 

The President said every Horticultural and Pomological Society 
in each State. 

The third section was then adopted without amendment. 

The fourth and fifth sections were likewise acceded to without al- 
teration. 

The sixth section was amended, on motion of Mr. Hancock, by 
making it the Treasurer's duty to render an account " at each meet- 
ing" — and then adopted. 

The seventh section was adopted without change. 

The report in general was then accepted, and the By-Laws passed 
with the amendments above stated. 

The Chair said that he ought before to have informed the Con- 
gress that important business had called the President, (Col. Wilder) 
a.way from the city. He had been obliged to return to Massachusetts, 
a step which he very much regretted, and which nothing could have 
induced him to take, except circumstances beyond his control, and 
duties of a peremptory nature. Col. Wilder had begged him (Mr. 
Walker) to express to gentlemen of the Congress his regret at being 
3 



34 

compelled to leave them, his grateful sense of the honor they had done 
him, and the great pleasure it would have given him to remain during 
the whole session. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons thereupon moved that the thanks of the Con- 
gress be presented to the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, the President 
of this body, for the very courteous, able, and impartial manner in 
which he has presided at this session. 

This was voted unanimously. 

Mr. Downing stated that he had still before him the report of the 
General Committee, comprising another portion of the list of fruits 
proposed for rejection, and several other fruits which it was proposed 
to recommend for general cultivation. 

On motion, it was voted to take up the lists and pursue the same 
course in their consideration, that was adopted yesterday, 

APPLES WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT. 

Cahaskea. — Objected to by Col. Hodge, of Buffalo, N. Y. It was 
only a second quality of fruit, but he was not prepared to reject it 
altogether. Also by Mr. Barry of Rochester, N. Y. It was large 
and productive, very coarse, but still had some good qualities. 

Blenheim Pippin. — Objected toby Mr. Hovey, of Boston, Mass. 

American Pijypin or Grindstone. — Objected to by Mr. Hayes, of 
Newark, N. J. 

Scarlet Pearmain. — Objected to by Col. Hodge of Buffalo, N. Y., 
and Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio. 

pears which IT WAS PROPOSED TO REJECT. 

Sugar Top. — Objected to by Mr. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Sugar of Hoyerswerda. — Objected to by Mr. Manice, of Long- 
Island, N. Y. 

Princess of Orange. — Objected to by Col. Hodge of Buffalo, N.Y. 

Hessel. — Objected to by Mr. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y., and Mr. 
McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Hericart. — Objected to by Messrs. Hayes, of Newark, N. Jersey, 
Manice, of Long Island, N. Y., Hovey, of Boston, Mass., and Saul, 
of Newburgh, N. Y. 

This completed the list of fruits which the committee proposed to 
submit for rejection. Thereupon 

Mr. Hancock proposed to add to the list of rejected pears, the 
Dumortier and the Passans de Portugal. Both were objected to — 



35 

the former by Mr. Hovey, of Boston, and the latter by Messrs. Ho- 
VEY and Walker of Boston. 

Mr. Miller proposed to add Prince's St. Germain. Objected to 
by Messrs. McIntosh, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Monson, of New Haven, 
and Terry, of Hartford, Conn.; Manice, of Long Island, N. Y.; 
Hovey, of Boston, Mass., and Little, of Bangor, Maine. 

Mr. Little then moved that the meeting proceed further to con- 
sider the list recommended by the committee as worthy of general 
cultivation, and the motion was sustained. 

Fruits worthy of general cultivation. 

Mr. Downing said the committee intended to propose but one 
Cherry, and that was the Belle Magnifique. Mr. Hovey said it had 
been known in Massachusetts from ten to twenty years ; Mr. El- 
liott, that it had been grown in Ohio from ten to twelve years, and 
Mr. Barry that it had been cultivated in Western New-York for 
seven years. All three gentlemen concurred in recommending it. 
Col. Hodge agreed with them. It was a very pleasant sub-acid 
fruit. 

The Belle Magnifique Cherry was adopted. 

Of Peaches, the committee recommended the Lafe Admirahle. 
Mr. Hovey was hardly prepared to recommend it. Mr. S. B. Par- 
sons said it was very good at Flashing, N. Y. Mr. Downing found 
that it ripened finely. Mr. Hamilton said it was good in Orange 
Co., N. Y. Mr. Hancock had never had it good. 

On motirn, it was passed by for the present. [This was equiva- 
lent to a refusal to recommend its cultivation, for it was not subse- 
quently called up for action.] 

Mr. Hancock moved that, in considering the various fruits proposed 
for general cultivation, the same course be adopted as was followed 
in regard to rejected fruits; i. e., that any one to which an objection 
might be raised, should be stricken from the list. 

Mr. Downing was opposed to this motion, because after three or 
four of the very best fruits had been agreed upon, it would hardly be 
possible to find another so fine as not to meet with a single objection; 
an objection, it might be, arising from a local cause alone, or from 
some peculiar idea or particular experience on the part of a single 
cultivator. 

Mr. Hovey also objected to the motion. The rejected fruits in 
the list which had been passed by the Congress, were still in cultiva- 



36 

tion, and any one good objection to placing a fruit on that list, com- 
ing from a gentleman who found his account in continuing that par- 
ticular fruit, was entitled to be rejected ; so far, at least, as not to 
abolish the cultivation of that variety. But in adding to the catalogue 
of fruits worthy of general cultivation, more than one objection to 
any particular variety ought to be presented before there could be 
reasonable ground for excluding it. The difficulty which an indivi- 
dual might have experienced in respect to a particular variety which 
had succeeded with almost every body else, might be purely the re- 
sult of fortuitous circumstances, and at any rate, ought not to operate 
to the exclusion of such fruit. 

Professor Mapes, of New^- Jersey, also spoke in opposition to the 
motion. If adopted, it w^ould virtually put an end to all discussion 
on fruit. 

Mr. Downing said that if there were any considerable objections 
to a fruit, it would not be pressed ; but if it generally succeeded in 
most parts of the country, it w^as hardly right that it should be reject- 
ed on account of non-success in one particular locality. 

Mr. Underhill was in favor of taking; the same course with these 
as with the rejected fruits — striking them from the list at any objec- 
tion, and recording the name of the objector. 

Mr. Downing said that in the w'orld, when a man's character was 
so bad that nobody could say a word in his favor, it was best to 
throw over his acquaintance ; but on the other hand, if he was gen- 
erally respected, and only a few individuals assailed him, then no 
just individual would think of shunning him. It should be just so 
here. 

Col. Hodge remarked that according to this last view we ought to 
go over again the whole list of fruits rejected yesterday. 

Mr. HovEY observed that where a majority of cultivators from dif- 
ferent quarters approved of a fruit and recommended it to general 
attention, it ought not to be thrust aside because it did not prove ex- 
cellent in some one particular locality. Its adaptation to our country 
generally was what ought to be looked at — not its partial success or 
failure in any one limited region. 

Mr. Hayes said that now we were getting at the pith of the mat- 
ter. If he could be satisfied as to the localities in which a fruit had 
proved successful, or had failed — that was what he wanted He was 
afraid that many fruits were rejected yesterday w-hich might come 
up first rate in some parts of the country. 



37 

Mr. Hancock professed himself satisfied with the view taken by 
Mr. HoTEYj and withdrew his motion. 

The Morrisania Pound Peach was the next fruit proposed by the 
committee. Mr. Hancock said he had fruited it for three or four 
seasons, and had never found it good yet. 

Mr. Hayes said it never was good with him. 

Mr. VIcIntosh said that at Cleveland for several years it had 
ranked as very good. Mr. Elliott pronounced it to be a good 
peach. 

• The question was put, and the Morrisania Pound Peach was re- 
jected. 

Mr. Downing had next to present a short list of the smaller fruits, 
no list having been given last year. The committee recommended 
as worthy of cultivation— 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Early Virginia.— Mr. McIntosh granted that this was an early 
fruit, but it was so small, poor and worthless, that it was unworthy 
qf general cultivation. 

Mr. Hovey said that at Boston this was the same variety as the 
Large Early Scarlet. It was a good sized strawberry. He had cul- 
tivated it for twenty years and found it a very good berry on a light 
soil. It came very early and thus avoided drought — but gardeners 
were gradually discarding it, except for a few days at the very first 
of the season, when high prices could be obtained. 

Mr. Downing fancied that the two fruits were very distinct. The 
Early Virginia was small, but the Early Scarlet, in New-York, was a 
very fine, large fruit. 

Mr. Barry said that the Early Scarlet was cultivated greatly in 
Western New-York, and was a very superior fruit. It had a much 
rounder berry than the Early Virginia, and was only a few days 
later. 

Mr. Hancock stated the Early Virginia and the Early Scarlet to 
be very distinct. The former was known as the Hudson. 

Mr. Hovey said the Hudson was too acid a berry for the Boston 
market, and it was a poor fruit. 

Mr. French said that some very good judges in his region would 
give up any strawberry as soon as the early Virginia. One neighbor 
of his found it the best he had all last season. He was not so sue- 



38 

cessful with it himself, but he thought it a hardy berry and one that 
could be relied upon. 

Mr. Barry said it was much inferior to the large Early Scarlet, and 
from the very fact that being thus inferior, and only two or three 
days earlier, it was unworthy of cultivation, 

Mr. Hancock said that in his region the Early Scarlet had taken 
the place of the Early Virginia, and that both ripened at the same 
time there. 

Mr. Downing said that the committee decidedly preferred the Early 
Scarlet to the Early Virginia. 

Mr. McIntosh thought the Early Virginia entirely worthless ; so 
much so, that he had rooted it all up in his grounds and replaced it 
with the Early Scarlet. 

On motion of Mr. Saul, it was passed by (equivalent to being re- 
jected.) 

Hovey''s Seedling — Mr. McIntosh declared this to be the very best 
Strawberry he ever had in his grounds. Without any further remark 
it was adopted unanimously. 

Large Early Scarlet. — Col. Hodge had fruited it for years with 
great success, and in the course of a tour at the west, he found that 
in the neighborhood of Chicago, it was pronounced one of the best va- 
rieties. Mr. HovEv would vote for it with pleasure, believing it to 
be the same as that cultivated in Massachusetts as the Early Virginia, 

It was adopted. 

Hudson. — Mr. Hovey was quite willing to believe from what had 
already been said, that this might be a good fruit in New- York and 
New- Jersey, but east of New-York it was so small and acid as not to 
be worthy of cultivation at all. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons was very much cf the same opinion. There 
were many acid berries far superior to the Hudson, as for instance 
Jenny's Seedling, which was a fine fruit. 

Mr. Barry thought it unadvisable to put the Hudson on the list. In 
his region it had been tried, but generally abandoned. While there 
were so many other preferable varieties, this ought not to go upon a 
list of fine frnits. 

The Hudson Strawberry was rejected. 

Burrh JYew Pine. — Mr. Manice considered it premature to place 
this on the list. No doubt it was a good fruit but it was not yet suf- 
ficiently well known. Dr. Wendell had tried it at Albany for two 



39 

years, and thought that it would hereafter take its place among the 
first, but for the present he would rather have it withdrawn. Mr. 
HovEY said it promised well, but he objected to putting it on the list 
for the same reason given by the gentlemen who preceded him, it 
had not been known long enough. 

Mr. Walker observed that after testing thirty-six varieties he was 
of opinion that Burr's New Pine was the best of them all, and that it 
had no superior in flavor except the Swainstone Seedling. Mr. Elli- 
ott said it had never been sufficiently tested in Ohio to w^arrant its 
recommendation for general culture. 

Mr. Barry said, it originated at Columbus, Ohio, and the attention 
of the Horticultural Society of that state was called to it by Mr. 
Burr. The next year the committee made an elaborate report, giv- 
ing this the preference over all other strawberries. This had called 
his own attention to it, and since then, at Rochester, he found that it 
fully sustained the high character assigned to it. It was one of the 
best he ever saw in flavor, and at the same time it bore well. 

Mr. Downing remarked that the committee felt justified in recom- 
mending it, since it did not require near so long a time to test a 
strawberry as a larger fruit. 

Col. Hodge said, that we ought to move with caution, for the 
community had been more humbugged with regard to strawberries 
than any other fruit He had seen this variety one season and favored 
it, but he considered it entirely premature for this Congress to place 
it on the list for general cultivation. 

Mr. Elliott said, that four years ago there was only one plant of 
this variety in existence, and all that had been since obtained, made 
but a very small quantity. They had been watched with great care, 
with a view to dissemination, but sufficient opportunity had not been 
had for testing the variety in a thorough manner. Mr. Walker said 
that, according to his experience, a strawberry could be tested as 
well in two years as a pear in five. 

Mr. HovEY moved to pass it by. Mr. Lines, of New Haven, 
hoped it would not be passed by, since nobody said anything about it 
but in its praise. If it had been tried and proved bad, that would be 
-tinother thing. Mr. Hovey rejoined that other things were important 
as well as its flavor. This fruit had only been known in Boston for 
one year, and he himself had procured a plant from Mr. Barry. 
From that plant he got perhaps a dozen berries. What could be 



40 

judged of its bearing properties from that ? He wanted to have its 
quahties in this respect tested on a much larger scale. 

Mr. Barry agreed that it was important to know about its bearing 
qualities when extensively cultivated. Mr. Warner's bed of Burr's 
New Pine, in Rochester, was half as large as this room, (perhaps 
1,200 square feet) and from it he had obtained immense quantities of 
fruit. Mr. Hancock said that Mr. Burr had come out with five or 
six varieties as being all of extraordinary excellence, but it seemed 
that he had now come down to this one. For that very reason, he 
(Mr. H.) should be shy of this ; and rumor said that it had not 
proved good in Ohio, on further cultivation. Mr. McIntosh said 
that Mr. Hancock must be mistaken, for Burr's Old Seedling and 
Ohio Mammoth were among the best varieties they had in Ohio. Mr. 
Hancock rejoined, that he had his information from Mr. Burr him- 
self. Mr. Barrv said that those varieties had not gone out of exist- 
ence in his quarter of New-York. 

Mr. French, from what little he had seen of it, was disposed to 
think it was a fruit which every one in the world would wish to have. 
Mr. S. B. Parsons thought there was great force in the remark of 
Mr. Lines. Dr. Wendell would prefer that the committee should 
withdraw the fruit, rather than that the meeting should vote to pass 
it by. Should the latter course be taken, some persons might suppose 
that we considered it unworthy of cultivation, while in fact it was 
one of our very best varieties. He had no doubt that by another 
year the Congress would be fully prepared to recommend it without 
hesitation. 

Mr. Downing thereupon withdrew the fruit in question from fur- 
ther consideration for the present. 

Boston Pine. — Mr. Hancock had had in the course of three or four 
years only one crop from this variety. It was a good fruit but a shy 
bearer. 

Mr. Pardee had found it at New-Haven a strong and excellent 
bearer, and the fruit of delicious flavor. Mr. Terry said it had suc- 
ceeded admirably at Hartford with several gentlemen who tried it on 
different soils. It was esteemed very highly for its mild and agree- 
able flavor. It was better than Hovey's Seedling, which grew near 
and was fertilised by it. 

Mr. Manice said it grew very well in hills, but not so well in 
beds J in hills it was a great bearer — better than Hovey's, Mr. 



41 

Miller said it was a very pleasant and productive fruit, with a 
large, fine appearing berry. It was fully equal to Hovey's, and infe- 
rior perhaps to the Black Prince alone. 

Mr. FiiENCH had seen it very fine indeed at Hovey's garden and 
elsewhere. In 1818 he tried the experiment of cultivating a square 
yard each with the Boston Pine, the Willey and the Jenney. They 
were all picked by a careful hand, and the result was — Boston Pine, 
1^ pints ; Willey, 1 quart, 3 gills ; Jenney, 1 quart, 1 gill, Mr. 
Lines said that after he planted his out, for the first year the bearing 
•was small ; in the second it improved ; and in the third it was 
enormous. It was better to grow the fruit in hills 

Mr. Walker said that for the first year or two he had not been 
very favorably impressed by the Boston Pine, and had not yet sub- 
stituted it for the Early Virginia. But what he had seen of it 
the present year had greatly raised it in his estimation. Grown in 
hills, he had seen very large crops and fine fruit. By the Massa- 
chusetts Horticultural Society, this season, the first and third prizes 
were awarded to the Boston Pine. 

Dr. MoNSON had cultivated Hovey's and the Methven, and had 
been perfectly satisfied with them, till he became acquainted with the 
Boston jPine. He had never seen so prolific a bed as that of this 
variety belonging to Mr. Terry. He at once engaged plants of him 
and dug in one half of his Hovey's Seedling to make room for plant- 
ing them. This variety v/as superior in bearing qualities to any that 
he had seen. 

Mr, HovEY remarked that he had preferred to hear what others 
had to say of this strawberry, rather than to speak of it himself. It 
had been exceedingly gratifying to him to hear so many commenda- 
tions of his two strawberries — the Seedling and the Boston Pine. 
Gentlemen were present from the remotest parts of the country, and 
they unanimously agreed upon their excellence. The Boston Pine 
was raised at the same time, and from the same lot of seed, as the 
Hovey Seedling, in 1834. But after selecting the latter variety, so 
many others remained of promising quality — and the quantity of land 
at command being rather limited — that it took some time to give 
■'them all, successively, a trial — and it was not until 1844 or '45 that 
the Boston Pine was first offered to the public. That was its origin. 
Mr. H. said he would embrace this opportunity to say a few words 
in regard to the cultivation of the Boston Pine. One gentleman had 



/ 42 

remarked that he cultivated his vines in hills ; another, his in beds ; 
others, theirs in rows — and all had succeeded equally vrell. But as 
one gentleman had said that he did not exactly understand what was 
meant by cultivating in hills, he would briefly explain. 

Gentlemen were probably aware that Hovey's Seedling, the Early 
Virginia, and other varieties, rarely produced more than three or four 
trusses of fruit to each root, and then, when grown thickly in beds, 
produced very good crops. This, however, was not the case with 
the Boston Pine, generally — the constitutional tendency of the plant 
being to produce ten or twelve trusses of fruit to each root. One 
hundred and fifty berries had been counted on a single plant, as the 
President could testify. The consequence was that when the vines 
occupied all the ground, there was a deficiency of nourishment, and 
the berries did not fill up. Hence had arisen many failures in the 
cultivation of this variety. It required more room than other straw- 
berries, and when grown in rows, with a space of a foot or more be- 
tween, and that space well manured, the crop was one of the most 
abundant of all kinds. Cultivation in hills, so termed, was where 
one or more plants w^ere set out, two or more feet apart each way, 
the runners kept clipped off, and the ground tilled with the hoe, or, 
when extensively grown, with the cultivator or plough. Raised in 
this mode, or in rows, he was satisfied the Boston Pine would prove, 
as indeed it had already done, all that he had ever recommended it 
to be, and would meet the expectations of every cullixator. 

The question was then put, and the Boston Pine was adopted. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons moved to add Jenneifs Seedling to the list. 
He bad found it an abundant bearer, and two or three times as juicy 
as Hovey's. It was rather acid, to be sure, but with a little sugar 
was exceedingly agreeable. In all respects it was first rate. 

Mr. McIntosh concurred in all points with Mr. Parsons. Jen- 
ney's Seedling was a great bearer, a fine, haidy fruit, of excellent 
flavor, and well worthy of being recommended. Mr. French said 
it was hardy, and an abundant bearer. Any one who would try it 
would have no reason to feel disappointed at the result. Mr. Pardee 
had tried it for one season, and was much pleased with it. Mr. 
Hancock had grown it four years, and as to crops, he found there 
was no comparison between Hovey's and Jenney's Seedlings. The 
latter, however, was more acid than the other. 

After some little time, and at the request of several gentlemen, 
Mr. Parsons withdrew his motion. 



43 

Mr. Hamilton immediately moved that Jenne.y's Seedling and Burr's 
Mew Pine, be placed on the list of fruits which give promise of being 
worthy to be added to the list for general cultivation. 
This motion prevailed. 

Mr. Saul proposed to add to the list of strawberries the Black 
Prince. He had known it for ten years, and esteemed it the highest 
flavored of all. It was a very good bearer, remarkably hardy, and 
endured the winter much better than most other varieties. It had as 
many desirable qualities as any he knew of. 

• Mr. Downing had great pleasure in bearing testimony to the good 
qu;*lities of this strawberry. He preferred its flavor to that of any 
other variety. It was, as Mr. Saul had said, hardy and an excellent 
bearer, and the berries were Icrge and handsome. He could safely 
recommend it. 

Mr. Lines had procured it on Mr. Downing's recommendation, 
and, like him, had found it an abundant bearer, with a handsome 
berry ; but it was the most insipid fruit he ev^er tasted. He was 
surprised that so handsome a berry should be so tasteless. The fruit 
would hardly bear gathering, it melted so easily in the fingers. 

Col. Hodge had fruited it for three or four years. Its flavor was 
not so good and the crop not so abundant with him as other gentle- 
men seemed to have found them. 

Mr. Hamilton said that with him it was one of the very best, and 
certainly had the highest flavor of any. 

Mr. Manice had it from Mr. Downing, and found it the poorest 
strawberry he had ever cultivated. 

Mr. Miller considered it at the head of all in point of flavor. 

Mr. Battey, of Keeseville, N. Y., had been much disappointed in 
the quality of this fruit. It was worthless, dry and insipid, and with 
him the plant was a poor bearer. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons last year thought it first rate, but this year it 
was poor with him. 

Mr. Barry said it was a beautifully colored berry, and one of the 
highest flavor, but it was a small bearer. For amateurs it was an 
indispensable variety, but it would not do as a market fruit. 

Mr. C. Downing regarded it as the highest .flavored strawberry he 
ever tasted, and one of the best varieties. He grew it on a light, 
sandy loam. 

Mr. Hancock had tried it four or five years, but it had never suc- 
ceeded with him. 



44 

Mr. Saul withdrew his motion. 

Raspberkies. 

Red Antwerp. — Mr. McIntosh inquired if it was hardy '] He 
thought the contrary, and at any rate it had not proved so with him. 
It needed covering in the winter, and coukl not be relied on. 

Mr. HovEY said that no raspberry we yet had could stand the win- 
ter without covering. 

Mr. Battey saiil that with him it had fully answered, and was 
equally hardy with any variety of red. 

Mr. C. Dow^NiNG considered it one of the best for marketing, and 
it was cultivated very largely for that purpose. One of his neigh- 
bors last year sold $300 worth from about one-third of acre, and this 
year, from three acres of this fruit he realized over -$1500. It was 
one of the very hardiest of raspberries. It would not stand the win- 
ter without being covered. 

Mr. Babrett, of Ulster Co., N. Y., said that in productiveness it 
w^as unsurpassed by any. It bore long in succession, and in ordinary 
seasons could be gathered for five weeks. As a market fruit, it was 
better than any other variety, bearing carriage very well, and not be- 
ing exceeded by any in flavor. It sold in New-York for about 
twenty-two cents a quart, and from three quarters of an acre he had 
realized $330, at an average of ten cents per basket. There was a 
cultivator in his neighborhood who obtained $1500 wortn from three 
acres, and that, in a very unfavorable season of only three weeks in- 
stead of five. To insure a crop it required to be protected during the 
winter by drawing down the ends, and covering them with earth. 
About three acres would afford as many raspberries as could well be 
cared for. He had known the ends to live in severe winters, although 
uncovered, but *hat was in very favorable situations. 

Mr. Hancock remarked that so far as he knew, this variety was not 
known in England. He had tried three or four times to get it from 
the nurseries about London, but could not. 

Mr. Saul said he had known the Red Antwerp in the west of Eng- 
land ever since he was half the height of a Raspberry cane. It was 
precisely the same as this under discussion. 

Mr. Ha^ es said there was no use in discussing the question of har- 
diness ; the Red Antwerp did reqiiii'e protection in winter, and no 
imported raspberry could do without it. 



45 

Mr. C. Downing said that very often, fine crops M^ere obtained 
from unprotected plants, but they could not be relied on. All large 
and fine imported varieties did need protection. 

Mr. Battey said he had lost his apples with the thermometer at 
30 deg. below zero, but not a cane of his raspberry plants. 

Mr. Allen of Oswego, N. Y., said that the Red Antwerp was cul- 
tivated without any protection whatever in his locality. 

Prof. Mapes said it was not extreme cold that destroyed the rasp- 
berry, but frequent and great changes of temperature. 

Dr. MoNSON did not complain that the Red Antwerp was not hardy, 
but it did not increase well. He could not get a plantation out of it. 

Mr. Barrett replied that last year he had eight rods of ground, 
pretty thickly set with the Red Antwerp, from which he should this 
season have from 6 to 8,000 plants. It was a common careless cus- 
tom to leave them unprotected through the winter, but it was an un- 
safe practice and in three seasons out of five would cause the loss of 
the crop. 

The question was then put and the Red Antwerp raspberry adopted. 

Fastolff. — Mr. Hayes said of this, that we could not gather the 
fruit from the i^lant as well as from the Antwerp or the Franconia. 
It did not come off the core so easily. Mr. Hovey said this variety 
increased with him faster than any other. It was an abundant bearer 
and the fruit was very fine. 

The Pa5^o//f raspberry was adopted. 

KneveWs Giant. — Mr. Elliott moved that this be placed in the 
list of fruits promising well. Mr. Hovey hoped that would be the 
disposition made of it. Mr. Walker said it had been grown in the 
neighborhood of Boston five years, and Mr. Newell of Dorchester 
told him it succeeded without protection. Mr. Hancock said that so 
far as his experience went, it was a fine fruit but a shy bearer. 

Mr. Elliott's motion prevailed, and the Knevett^s Giant Rasp- 
berry was placed on the list of fruits that promise well. 

Yellow Antwerp. — Mr. S. B. Parsons said it was a poor bearer 
with him, but a good grower. Mr. Barrett said it was a poor 
Nearer, and the fruit was poor; it was crumbling and unfit for mar- 
ket. Mr. Hancock said that unless protected it would be killed, but 
when protected it bore a good crop and of a high flavor. 

The Yellow Antwerp Raspberry was adopted. 



46 

Mr. S. B. Parsons proposed to add to the list the common Eng- 
lish Red, a variety which he prized very much. 

Mr. Terry said we had four native varieties, the common Ameri- 
can Red, White, and Black, and the Purple. This last was a very 
fine fruit, bearing large crops for a long period and was superior in 
flavor to the English Red. 

Mr. Hamilton supposed Mr. Parsons meant the common Red, 
which grew up some six or eight feet and then bent over. Mr. Par- 
sons presumed the variety was very generally known. It was a free 
growing plant, with a bluish stock, the berry round and rather flat, 
soft as the Antwerp, and preferable in flavor. It w^as perfectly 
hardy and was never killed down. 

Mr. McIntosh said he commenced growing it at one time for mar- 
ket and planted an acre of ground with it at Cleveland. For three 
years it was the only variety he could rely on for a crop. 

Mr. Hamilton said he had known it for thirty years. It might be 
seen in every farmer's garden ; it was a universal trespasser, growing 
all over fences and almost everywhere else. It was a very prolific 
bearer and very hardy, and his wife had often expressed her regret 
that he had extirpated it, on account of its yielding so large a crop. 
He thought Mr. Parsons referred to this same variety. 

Mr. Terry knew the fruit thirty years ago, and if it was a foreign 
variety it had become perfectly naturalized long since. The habits 
of the plant were, as Mr. Hamilton had described, growing up some 
six feet or more, and then bending dovv'n towards the ground. Mr. 
Reid also thought it a native variety. 

Mr. Parsons withdrew his motion. 

Mr. Hamilton moved to add the Franconia to the list, and this 
was voted without opposition or debate. 

Foreign Grapes, for culture under Glass. 

The seven varieties which were adopted without debate, will be 
found in the general list of recommended fruits. 

Chasselas Musque. — Mr. Hovey said this was an old grape, known 
some thirty or forty years, and one of the most delicious of all. But 
there was one fault about it, it would crack. He had three vines, 
from which he had this season forty pounds. It was a very fine 
bearer, and if cultivators kept the scissors at work amongst the 
cracked grapes in the bunches, they would obtain a fine fruit. 



47 

Mr. S. B. Parsons thought it inferior to the Goklen Chasselas. 
Mr. Gabriel inquired whether the committee intended that fire-heat 
should be applied or not. 

Mr. Downing answered, that it would do either way, under glass 
it did not crack with him. Mr. Hovey said the English cultivators 
recommended it. 

The question w^as put, and there being but one majority for its 
adoption, Mr. Downing withdrew it. 

. Mr. Manice moved to add the Syrian. It was a very fine fruit. 
Mr. Hancock considered the Syrian only a second-rate grape, though 
he had known its clusters attain the weight of eight pounds and a 
half in his neighborhood, Mr. Hovey said that in cold houses — 
though it was very good there — some might be disappointed in this 
grape ; but if fire-heat were applied and the fruit suffered to hang 
till November or December, it would prove first rate. In England 
clusters had been raised weighing fourteen pounds ; in Boston from 
six to seven ; and in New Jersey, as has just been stated, eight and 
a half. 

The motion to add the Syrian was lost : five yeas, seven nays. 

NATIVE GRAPES OPEN CULTURE. 

The Isabella and the Cataivba were adopted unanimously. 

Mr. French proposed to add the Diana, which, on motion of Mr. 
Downing, was placed on the list of fruits promising well. Mr. 
Hovey remarked that in three years or so, the Diana would be at the 
very head of native grapes. 

Mr. Underbill proposed to add the Elsinhorough (often incor- 
rectly spelled Elsinburg, as he said.) Mr. Downing was opposed to 
this. The grape was small, with large seeds, and the Congress was 
pledged to recommend only the best fruits. Dr. Monson said this 
fruit was peculiarly liable to be carried off by the birds. 

Mr. Hancock said it was true this was a small grape, but it was 
very fine, in his locality, finer than the Catawba. Mr. Cleveland of 
New Jersey said, if well cultivated, it yielded a large crop of good 
fruit. Many of his neighbors esteemed it more highly than the Isa- 
bella or Catawba, but he ranked it below them. 

Mr. Hovey observed that we ought to be very cautious in adding 
to the list, for cultivators had a large number of seedlings coming up 
every season, and we shortly should have something very superior. 
The production of the Diana grape proved this, for that was but a 



48 

chance shoot from the Catawba. He hoped we should not adopt the 
Elsinborough. 

The motion was put and rejected. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons then moved to add to the list for culture under 
glass, the Zinjindel. It was a w^ell-known hot-house grape, but suc- 
ceeded perfectly well in the open air. 

Mr. Downing was sceptical as to this point. Dr. Monson said 
there was no difficulty with it out of doors ; it was better than most 
in the open air, and not apt to mildew. He had cultivated it for ten 
years, and knew but one season when it did not ripen well, and then 
the Isabella did not come anywhere near it in point of ripeness. 

Mr. HovEY said it was a very fine fruit. He saw it first at the 
place of the late Samuel G. Perkins, of Brookline, Mass., before it 
had been put in the catalogues. Mr. Perkins gave him cuttings 
from his vines, from which had proceeded the larger portion of those 
now cultivated. It was a grape which ought to be in every collec- 
tion under glass. It was of dark color, with beautiful bloom, but not 
so large in size as the Hamburgh. Mr. Gabriel said it was a very free 
bearer, with large berries of fine flavor, and succeeded w^ell. 

The motion to add the Zinfindel was lost. 

Currahts 

The Red Dutch, Black Kaples, White Butch and May'^s Victoria, 
were all adopted without opposition or remark. 

Mr. Barry moved to add the White Grape. It was larger than 
the White Dutch, and a fine bearer. Mr. Hovev had supposed the 
two to be identical. Mr. Barry said the bushes were so different 
that any one could tell them apart. From actual experience, he 
knew the White Grape to be a distinct variety. 

Mr. S. B. Parsons said that River's White Grape was fully equal 
in size to the White Dutch, and far superior in flavor. Mr, 
Hancock, after long culture, could not see any difference between 
them. Mr. Barry very well knew the old White Currant and the 
White Dutch. The former grew upright, and had not that twisting 
of the branches which was seen in the other. Mr. Reid thought 
them distinct varieties ; the White Dutch was rather the stronger 
grower. 

The question was taken, and the White Grape currant added to 
the list. 



49 

On motion of Mr. Saul, the Congress then adjourned till half past 
three o'clock in the afternoon. 

Afternoon Session. 

The Congress came to order at 4 o'clock, the President pro tern. 
in the chair. 

Mr. McIntosh moved the appointment of a committee on Seed- 
ling Fruits presented for examination the present session, with in- 
structions to attend to the duty at once. 

The motion having been adopted, the Chair appointed Messrs. 
Brinckle, Barry, C. Downing, Hovey and Manning, to constitute 
the committee. 

Mr. Saul, from the committee charged with preparing a list of the 
varieties of fruits offered for examination, submitted the following 
report: 

The committee appointed to collect lists of the different collections 
of fruits presented for exhibition to this Congress of fruit-growers, 
and of the contributors of the same, would submit the following as 
their report. 

A. SAUL, ) 

S. H. COLTON, } ComHee. 

WM. REID. ) 

There are presented, from Samuel Walker, Roxbury, Mass., 

Pears, 31 varieties. 
Jonathan Battey, Keeseville, Essex county, N. Y., 

Apples 14 varieties. 

Pears, 3 do. 
Parsons & Co., Flushing, Long Island, 

Pears, 43 varieties, 

Grapes, 5 do., hothouse, 

Apples, 28 do., 

Peaches, 11 do. 
G. R. Garretson, Flushing, Long Island, 

Pears, 5 varieties, 
''' Grapes, 1 variety. 

James Scott, Flushing, Long Island, 

Pears, 2 varieties. 
Asahel Foote, Williamstown, Mass., 

Plums, 10 varieties, 
4 



60 

Pears, 5 varieties, 

Apples, 2 do, 
S. L. Goodale, Saco, Maine, 

Pears, 18 varieties, 

Grapes, 2 do, 

Plums, 2 do. 

Apples, 1 variety. 
Rufus Nichols, Saco, Maine, 

Pears, 1 variety. 
Daniel Cleaves, Saco, Maine, 

Pears, 5 varieties. 
P. S. Van Rensselaer, Clinton Point, Dutchess co., N. Y., 

Grapes, 14 varieties, under glass. 
Thomas Hancock, Burlington, New Jersey, 

Apples, 31 varieties, 

Pears, 18 do, 

Peaches, 3 do. 
Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, Albany, N. Y., 

Apples, 20 varieties, 

Pears, 20 do, 

Plums, 15 do. 

Peaches, 4 do. 
Walter Goodale, South Orrington, Maine, 

Apples, 10 varieties. 
Henry Little, Bangor, Maine, 

Apples, 3 varieties. 

Pears, 1 variety. 
Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, Mass., 

Pears, 33 varieties. 
G. B. Deacons, Burlington, New Jersey, 

Apples, 2S varieties. 
Charles Hamilton, Canterbury, Orange county, N. Y. 

Apples, 15 varieties, 

Plums, 11 do. 

Pears, 3 do. 

Peaches, 3 do. 
B Hodge, Buffalo, New-York, 

Pears, 30 varieties, 

Apples, 29 do. 



51 

William L. Ferris, Westchester, New-York, 

Pears, 6 varieties, 
M, C. Morgan, Jersey City, New Jersey, 

Nectarines, 1 variety, 4 baskets. 
John Eltringham, Jersey City, New Jersey, 

Quinces, 1 variety. 
W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, New-York, 

Pears, 7 varieties, 2 new seedlings. 
John Parker. Moorestown, New Jersey, 

Apples, 20 varieties. 
Martin Slocum, Bennington county, Vermont. 

Apples, 10 varieties. 
Thomas Harvey, Jennersville, Chester county, Penn., 

Apples, 12 varieties. 
James H. Watts, Rochester, New-York, 

Apples, 2 varieties. 
Morris & Stokes, Westchester, Pennsylvania, 

Apples, 7 varieties. 

Peaches, 3 do. 
A. S. Monson, New Haven, Connecticut, 

Pears, 8 varieties. 

Grapes, 4 do, 2 under glass, 2 in open air. 

Apples, 7 do. 

Osage Orange, a fruit of. 
Robert Buist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

Grapes, 18 varieties. 
Hovey & Co., Boston, Massachusetts, 

Pears, 32 varieties. 
J. C. Hastings, Clinton, Oneida county. New- York, 

Plums, 1 variety, a seedling. 
Edmond Jones, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 

Iron Pear. 
Mr. Green, Germantown, Pennsylvania, 

Chancellor pear. 
Mrs. J. B. Smith, Holland Green, 

Seckel Pear, from the original tree. 
David Miller, Jr., Carlisle, Penn. 

Apples, 40 varieties. 

Grapes, 6 do. 



52 

Peaches, 5 varieties, 

Plums, 5 do. 
H. W. S. Cleaveland, Burlington, N. J. 

Pears, 7 varieties, 

Grapes, 1 variety. 
George Gabriel, New-Haven, Conn. 

Pears, 5 varieties, 

Grapes, 3 do under glass, without heat. 
Charles Downing, Newburgh, N. Y. 

Pears, 1 variety — a splendid specimen of Ducliesse 
d'Angouleme. 
A. Mcintosh, Cleveland, Ohio. 

Pears, 11 varieties. 

Apples, 2 do. 
S. A. Barret & Co., Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y. 

Pears, 8 varieties. 

Plums, 4 do. 
Edward Hallock, Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y. 

Peaches, 1 variety, 
Charles Dubois, Fishkill Landing, N. Y. 

Apples, 9 varieties, 

Peaches, 1 variety, 

Plums, 1 do. 
William Reid, Elizabethtown, N. J. 

Pears, 12 varieties, 
John C. Dodge, Dodgeville, Mass. 

Grapes, 1 variety — 4 dishes Black Hamburgh, without 
heat. 
William G. Verplanck, Geneva, N. Y. 

Pears, 8 varieties— 2 seedlings. 

Apples, 4 do. 

Quinces, 1 variety. 
Dr. Ash, Philadelphia, Penn. 

Ashland Pear, believed to be White Doyenne. 
J. De Wolfe, Frogs Neck, Westchester Co., N. Y. 

Pears, 8 varieties. 
J. J. Walter, New-Haven, Conn. 

Apples, 4 varieties. 

Pears, 1 variety. 



53 

R, Mattison and Brothers, North Bennington, Vt. 
Apples, 13 varieties — 8 seedlings. 
Pears, 2 do. 
Plums, 2 do. 
Grapes, 1 variety — seedling. 
J. W. P. Allen, Oswego, N. Y. 
Pears, 45 varieties, 
Apples, 37 do. 
On motion, the reading of this report at large was dispensed with, 
and it w^as referred to the Secretaries with directions to enter it on 
the records and publish it amongst the proceedings of the Congress. 
Mr. Elliott offered the followed resolution : 
Resolved, That all Pomologists throughout the United States and 
the Canadas be invited to forward to Mr A. J. Downing, of Ne wburgh, 
N. Y., at any or various times during the time elapsing from the ad- 
journment of this Congress, and two weeks previous to the reassem- 
bling at Cincinnati, communications respecting varieties of fruits 
and fruit trees, shrubs or vines, and of diseases appertaining thereto. 
Such communications to be collated by Mr. Downing, and presented 
to the next Congress at its sitting in 1850. All such communications 
or packages to be pre-paid. 

Dr. Kennicott, of Illinois, seconded the resolution, remarking that 
unless something like it were adopted, many eminent Pomologists 
would be debarred from making representations and communicating 
valuable knowledge in their possession. 

A slight discussion ensued, and then the resolution was adopted 
nearly unanimously. The last clause, concerning the pre-payment of 
packages sent to Mr. Downing, was suggested by Mr. Saul, and ac- 
cepted by Mr. Elliott. 

The meeting next resumed the consideration of the Fruit Commit- 
tee's report. 

Mr. Downing said he would submit the remainder of the list of ap- 
ples recommended for approval, as worthy of general cultivation. 
They were principally such fruits as were recommended by the Penn- 
sylvania Horticultural Societies. 

White Seek-no-further. — Adopted without opposition. 
Lady ^pple. — Mr. French said he procured it from the late Mr. 
Manning, and found it to be among his hardiest trees. Mr, R. B. 
Parsons had tried it four or five seasons, but had got no fruit. Col. 



54 

Hodge thought one tree of this variety would be quite sufficient fo? 
any one. Mr. McIntosh pronounced it a very good apple. The 
tree was healthy, and in his locality it ranked quite as high as very 
good. 

Mr. Saul said that in Dutchess county there were some very fine 
trees of this variety, and the fruit commanded $5 per barrel in the 
New-York market, when ordinary kinds would only bring from ten 
to twelve shillings. It was worthy of cultivation. Mr. Reid con- 
sidered it valuable only as an ornamental tree ; as to the quality 
of the fruit there were many others far superior. Mr. Ai.len said the 
fruit was always fair, and the tree a good annual bearer. 

Mr. Hancock had never known it to be unhealthy. The fruit was 
of rather small size, but very good, and the tree was healthy and a 
great producer. In his locality, taking growth, quality, &c., all 
together, it was regarded as a very desirable variety. Mr. Hamilton 
had seen a great many trees of this kind in Dutchess and Orange 
counties, and no other variety there afforded nearly so fine a crop. 
He knew of a gentleman who had purchased all he could get at 
twenty shillings a barrel on the trees, finding his own barrels, and he 
made quite a handsome speculation out of the bargain. He consid- 
ered it a fine fruit — a fair, straight, strong tree. It was not only a 
very beautiful apple, and very valuable for the market, but it was an 
apple of first rate quality. 

The Lady Apple was adopted. 

Wood's Greening Apple. — Mr. Hancock considered it very good, 
but thought it was not generally known. Mr. Elliott regarded it 
as most excellent, and said it was esteemed very much in Ohio. It 
ranked there before any Pippin. 

Mr. Downing withdrew it, on the ground that it did not appear to 
be sufficiently well known as yet. 

Red Jistrachan. — Adopted without debate. 

Winesap^ — Mr. Comstock, of Dutchess Co , N. Y., did not esteem 
this apple — it was small, and he thought it would be a damage to the 
public if the Congress should recommend it, and it should be gener- 
ally introduced. Mr. Hancock said it was an excellent table and 
winter apple, and made good cider. It lasted from the 1st of March 
to the 15lh of May. It was better than the Pippin, except in regard 
to flavor, and was not far behind in that respect. Mr. Elliott said 
it was good in Ohio 

The Winesap Apple was adopted. 



65 

Wine Apple.— -Mr. Comstock said it was only third rate in Dutch- 
ess County. Mr. Hancock remarked that it was a very good apple 
in his region of country, and a desirable variety to have. 

It was adopted. 

Autumn Pearmain (Herefordshire.) — Adopted without discussion. 

Red Cheek, or Monmouth Pippin. — Mr. Hancock said this apple 
originated at Monmouth. It was a good fruit and of large size — but 
it was not sufficiently known to warrant its adoption as yet. He 
wished it to be withdrawn. Mr. Hamilton was satisfied there was 
much confusion in regard to this apple. 

Mr. Downing accordingly withdrew it. 

Mr. Saul proposed to add the Vandervere. From November or 
December till March or April, there was no better apple than this in 
his section of the country. It was of fair, handsome growth, uni- 
formly of good quality — and was universally cultivated in Ulster, 
Dutchess, and all the other river counties. Mr. Downing willingly 
accepted the proposal, and would strongly recommend the fruit. 

Mr. Little said he had carried it to Bangor twenty years ago and 
there it had done well ever since. Mr. Miller said that if it was 
like what he had obtained under this name, it was a worthless fruit. 
Mr. Battey observed that it had thriven all along the region of 
Lake Champlain, and was there esteemed as one of the best varieties. 
Mr. Hamilton stated that it throve well with him. It was a hand- 
some, healthy, long-lived, thrifty tree, and the fruit was among the 
best. 

The Vandervere Apple was adopted and placed on the list. 

Mr. BuiST then moved that the Sheepnose be added to the list. It 
was a fruit of very high quality. 

Mr. Manning observed that the Golden Russet which he had receiv- 
ed from Mr. Hancock, was identical with the Sheepnose or Bullock's 
Pippin, and totally distinct from the Golden Russet of New-England. 
This last was a little flatter than the other, and free from the spots 
which disfigured the Sheepnose. It bore in clusters, and there was 
no fairer fruit. Bullock's Pippin, in New-England, was worthless. 
Mr. BuiST said it was not the general character of the Sheepnose to 
be spotted — it ordinarily was fair, smooth and very good. 

Mr. HovEY said his experience was quite different from that of 
Mr. Manning. He had never seen the Sheepnose spotted to any 
degree in the four or five years which he had known it. Last 



year he examined specimens grown at Plymouth, and he never saw 
fairer or better fruit — it had no spots whatever. This apple had 
very tender flesh, and was of very fine flavor — it might be a little 
dry if kept too long. He saw no objection to placing it on the list. 
Mr. CoMSTocK said that when grafted on old trees it grew very ra- 
pidly, and would bear the second year. 

Mr. Hancock remarked that, in his neighborhood, it was a univer- 
sal favorite. The tree was upright, and bore well. The fruit was 
of splendid flavor ; and if ever specked, that must be owing to an 
unfavorable situation. Col. Hodge said that in western New- York, 
the American golden russet was much cultivated, and it was not the 
same as this. This was very good, but the russet was better. Mr. 
Miller said that the American golden russet was one of the earliest 
and pleasantest apples they had in his region. 

Mr. Walker stated that the committee of the Massachusetts Hor- 
ticultural Society, of which he was one, rejected this apple unani- 
mously. He believed there had never been a cultivator near Boston, 
except Mr. HovEY,who agreed that it was the fruit which gentlemen 
here pronounced it to be. In New-England, it was universally pro- 
nounced unfit for cultivation. 

The question was taken, and it was voted io put the Sheepnose 
apple or BullocWs pipjnn on the list. 

Swaar apple. — Mr. Downing, by the request of several gentle- 
men, submitted this variety, and it was unanimously adopted. 

Mr. FooTE moved to add the Dominie. It was an apple exten- 
sively known and highly esteemed in western Massachusetts, was of 
high flavor, and a great bearer. 

The motion was rejected. 

Nectarines. 

Elruge and the Early Violet were adopted without objection. 

Hunth Tawney. — Mr. Hamilton said it was a very poor bearer 
with him, and was very liable to mildew. Mr. McIntosh said it 
grew fairly at Clevelant!, but was subject to mildew there also. The 
tree was good, but the fruit good for nothing. 

Mr. Downing withdrew it. 

Mr. Hancock moved to add the Downton. Mr. Buist said it 
grew to the size of a good, large peach, was of a reddish color, and 
he considered it the very best of nectarines. Mr. Downing said it 
was the finest and best he had ever fruited or tasted. 

The Dmimton Nectarine was placed on the list. 



57 

Apricots. 

The Large Early y Breda, and Moorpark were all adopted unani- 
mously. Mr. Downing said of the first, that it was the highest 
flavored and most beautiful he had ever seen. Mr. McIntosh re- 
marked of the Breda, that, though small in size, it was one of the 
earliest and best. And Col. Hodge stated that he had gathered 
more fruit from it than from all others combined. 

Mr. Hamilton proposed to add the Peach Apricot. He had 
fruited this variety for several years, and found it more productive, 
and fairer, than the Moorpark. The fruit sold in the New- York 
market at $2.50 per hundred. The tree was of erect growth, and 
had an uncommonly thick leaf, in which respect it differed from the 
Moorpark. Mr. Pardee agreed with Mr. Hamilton, and stated 
that the Peach apricot was the only one from which he could get a 
crop. 

Mr. Downing was satisfied that the two were identical Mr. Buist 
was of the same opinion. 

Mr. Hamilton said there was no aperture in the stone of the 
Peach variety, whereas everybody knew that there was in that of the 
Moorpark. 

Mr. Hancock declared that the aperture was exactly the same in 
both. The two were identical, in fact. He could not see any differ- 
ence in the leaf; and in adjoining rows of the two varieties, he was 
unable to discover six inches difference of growth between them, in 
trees of the same age and cultivation. 

Mr. Hamilton had the Peach apricot from three sources — Dr. 
Rumsey, Mr. Prince, and Dr. Townsend ; and in all the specimens 
there was a considerable difference in the thickness of the leaf, as 
compared with that of the Moorpark. It was manifest to feeling on 
the least touch. 

Mr. Allen stated that he found the hole in the stone in both the 
the Moorpark and Peach varieties, and considered them in all respects 
identical. Mr. Reid said the same. 

On motion, the proposal to add the Peach apricot was passed by. 
(Equivalent to a rejection.) 

Gooseberries. 
No discussion whatever took place on this fruit. The ten varieties 
recommended will be found in the general list of fruits worthy of 



68 

cultiyation. The Early Sulphur was added to the committee's list 
on motion of Mr. Wilson, N. Y. ; the Green Gage on motion of 
Mr. Battey, N. Y., and the Greeri Walnut, on motion of Mr. Little, 
Me. 

This completed the list of Fruits worthy of general cultivation 
which the committee designed to offer. 

Mr. Wilson moved to add to the list of currants, Knighfs Sweet 
Red. , It was a large sized currant, which he regarded as the finest 
of all. It had for two years taken the premium at Albany for size 
and sweetness. 

Mr. BuisT thought it a very excellent currant and it grew in larg- 
er bunches than other kinds. 

Mr. Hancock had cultivated this variety and had been hum.bugged; 
he expected a sweet currant and got one as sour as any of them. He 
could not tell the difference between this and the Red Champagne 
except from the labels on the bushes. 

Mr. Wilson said Mr. Hancock could not have got the right kind 
of currant. Col. Hodge said he had it and had found it finer and 
sweeter than any other. 

The motion did not prevail. 

Mr. Downing had next to submit, a small list of Fruits which give 
promise of becoming worthy of general cultivation, which will be 
found under this head in the general list. No debate occurred on 
any of these fruits (further than is to be found in the preceding 
pages,) excepting a few words concerning the McLaughlin Plum. 
Mr. Little stated that it was introduced into Maine some seven or 
eight years ago, and had ever since been steadily growing in public esti- 
mation. This year the Fruit committee of the Bangor Horticultural 
Society pronounced it superior to all varieties except the Green Gage. 
Mr. Walker said that the committee of the Massachusetts Horticultu- 
ral Society had given their opinion that it was a very excellent fruit, 
approaching very nearly in flavor to the Green Gage. 

Mr. Downing then stated that he had in his possession a large num- 
ber of reports, of which he had had no opportunity as yet to make a 
dio-est, and he asked the pleasure of the Congress in relation to them. 

On motion of Mr. McIntosh, it was voted that they be referred 
to the chairman of the General Fruit Committee for revision, and 
then to the Secretaries to be published with the doings of this Con- 
gress, 



' 59 

Mr. Saul suggested the expediency of some action going to fix a 
determinate day for the next meeting at Cincinnati. A long discus- 
sion ensued on this subject, in which Messrs. Saul, McIntosh, 
Hodge, Wilson, S. B. Parsons, Walker, Hovey, Hancock, Ham- 
ilton and Cleveland participated. The debate was of no impor- 
tance and finally the whole matter was laid on the table, thus leaving 
the settlement of the particular time (as was contemplated by the 
report from the committee which was yesterday accepted) in the con- 
trol of the President of this Congress and the President of the Ohio 
State Board of Agriculture. 

Dr. Brinckle, from the committee on Seedling Fruits, submitted 
the following report, which was accepted. 

The committee on Seedling fruits report that the following seed- 
ling varieties have been examined by them. 

Laicrence's Aromatic Gage Phan, from J. C. Hastings, Clinton, 
Oneida Co., N. Y. A small late plum, good, beautiful and worthy 
of further trial. It is a seedling from the Green Gage. The com- 
mittee suggest that it be called simply the Aromatic Gage. 
Tea Pear, from New Haven, Ct., quality good. 
Howell Pear, from New Haven ; very good. 
Pardee's Seedling Pear, from New Haven. Specimen over ripe ; 
but it appears to possess good qualities. Three other seedling pears 
from New Haven were not in eating condition, being unripe 

Balm Apple, from H. C. Hunt. Vt. Medium size, fair quality, or 
good. Said to bear every year. 

Tender Apple, presented as a cooking apple. 

Jewetfs Best .Hpple. — Of fine appearance, but not in season for 
eating. Has a high character in its original neighborhood. 

Korthem Golden Sweeting, from J. Battey, Keeseville, N. Y.; of 
beautiful appearance, good size, best quality. We recommend it be 
called simply the JYortuern Sweet. 

Champlain Apple, from the same. Good quality, beautiful appear- 
ance. 

Bailey's Spice Apple, from the same. Good, spicy, handsome, 
Forrence Apple, from tlie same ; good. 

Ribbed Codlin, from D. Miller, Jr., Carlisle Pa, Large, waxen, 
tender ; good, particularly for cooking. 

Cumherland Seedling Apple, from the same ; large, handsc me, ob- 
late, red, tender flesh, pleasant, very good. 



60 

Page Jlpple, from Henry Little, Bangor, Me., handsome, good ap« 
pearance, not in eating order. 

Seedling from JYauvoo. — Not in eating order. 

Seedling Pear JVo. 1., from W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, N.Y, 
Specimen of inferior quality. 

Seedling Pear JYo. 2., from the same. Quality not good. 

Seedling Apple JYo. 1., from the same. Large size, greenish yel- 
low, quality good. 

Seedling Apple JVo. 2., from the same. Not in eating order. 

Seedling Apple JYo. 3., from the same. Not in eating order. 

Chancellor Pear^ from Germantown, Pa., large size, very good. 

Seedling P car •) from Geneva, N. Y. Large, not fullly ripe but prom- 
ises well. We recommend it to be called the Geneva. 

Catherine of Canandaigua. — Large, good. We recommend it be 
called simply the Canandaigua. 

By order of the committee, 

W. D. BRINCKLE, Ch'n. 

Mr. Walker here quitted the chair, which was assumed by Mr. 
Cleveland. 

Mr. Barry said that the Congress had been much indebted to the 
American Institute and the courtesy of its officers, and he moved that 
the thanks of the American Pomological Congress be presented to 
the American Institute, together with all the fruits on the tables, ex- 
cept such specimens as the contributors may wish to retain. Car- 
ried unanimously. 

On motion of Col. Hodge, it was voted that the thanks of the Con- 
gress be presented to Samuel Walker, Esq., President pro tern, for 
the able and impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties 
of the office. 

The thanks of the Congress were also voted to the Secretaries and 
Fruit Committee for their faithfulness in discharging their duties. 

On motion of Mr. Downing, the Secretaries were requested to use 
all possible despatch in preparing a report of the session for publica- 
tion, and were directed to forward copies thereof to all members of 
the Congress. 

And then on motion of Mr. Barry, the Congress adjournedj to 
meet next >'ear at Cincinnati. 



AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONGRESS, 

October, 1849. 

GENERAL FRUIT LIST. 

Fruits worthy of General Cultivation. 
{Added to former lAst.) 

APPLES. 

White Seek-no-further, Danver's Winter Sweet, 

Fameuse, Wine Apple, 

Porter, Red Astrachan, 

Hubbardston Nonsuch, Vandervere, 

Winesap, Bullock's Pippin, 

Lady Apple, Swaar. 

PEARS. 

Rostiezer, Buffum, 

Belle Lucrative, or, Urbaniste, 

Fondante d'Automne, Vicar of Winkfield, 

Fulton, Louise Bonne de Jersey, 

Andrews, Uvedale's St. Germain, for baking. 

GRAPES UNDER GLASS. 

Black Hamburgh, White Frontignan, 

Black Prince, White Muscat of Alexandria, 

Black Frontignan, Chasselas de Fontainbleau. 

Grizzly Frontignan, 

Native Grapes — Open Culture. 
Isabella, Catawba. 

NECTARINES. 

Elruge, Downton. 

Early Violet, 



62 



Red Antwerp, 
Yellow Antwerp, 



Large Early Scarlet, 
Hovey's Seedling, 



Belle Magnifique. 

Large Early, 
Breda, 

Red Dutch, 
White Dutch, 
White Grape, 



Houghton's Seedling, 
Woodward's Whitesmith, 
Crown Bob, 
Red Champagne, 
Early Sulphur, 



RASPBERRIES. 

Franconia, 
FastolfF. 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Boston Pine, 



CHERRY. 

APRICOTS. 

Moorpark. 

CURRANTS. 

May's Victoria, 
Black Naples. 

GOOSEBERRIES. 

Laurel, 
Warrington, 
Green Gage, 
Green Walnut, 
Ironmonger. 



Gloucester White, 

Beachemwell, 

Pennock, 

Henry's Weeping Pippin, 

Red Ingestrie, 

White do. 

Kirke's Lord Nelson, 

Marmalade Pippin, 

Priestly, 

Rowland's Red Streak, 

Red or Royal Russet, 



REJECTED FRUITS. 



APPLES. 

Hoary Morning, 

Large Red Sweeting, 

Red Doctor, 

Grand Sachem, 

Cathead, 

Dodge's Early Red, 

Gray French Reinnette, 

Muscovia, 

Irish Peachj 

Pigeonette, 

Salina, 



63 



Woolston's Red Streak, 
Golden Reinnette, 
Woolston's White Sweet, 

Croft Castle, 

Swiss Bergamotte, 

Sousreine, 

Thompson's of New-Hampshire, 

Tucker's Seedling, 

Trubshurdy Dulle, 

Whitfield, 

Winter Orange, 

Wurtzer d'Automne, 

Yutte, 

Crassane, 

Winter Crassane, 

Citron of Bohemia, 

Madotte, 

Frederic of Prussia, 

Famenga, 

Forme Urbaniste, 

Fantasie Van Mons, 

Lederbirne, 

Louis Bonne, 

Lansac, 

Madame Vert, 

Miller's Seedling, 

Marquise, 

Marcellis, 

Navez, 

Alexander of Russia, 

Admiral, 

Aston Town, 

Autumn Bergamot, 

D' Amour, 

Angers, 

Beurre d'Anglet^rre, 

Beurre Seutin, 

Beurre of Bolwiller, 



Caroline, (English,) 
Fenouillet Rouge. 

PEARS. 

Forme des Delices, 
French Iron, 
Green Fair, 
Grise Bonne, 
Garnstone, 
Green Catharine, 
Green Sugar, 
Gros Blanquet, 
Green Chisel, 



Hays, 

Hawthorne's Seedling, 

Horticulture, 

Hastiveau, 

Ipswich Holland, 

Jargonelle, (of the French,) 

Kramelsbirne, 

Lincoln, 

Louis of Bologne, 

Orange, 

Orange Tulippe, 

Phillips, 

Pitfour, 

Piatt's Bergamotte, 

Passe Long Bras, 

Prince's Portugal, 

Pope's Scarlet, 

Cuvelier, 

Chat Grille, 

Chair a Dame, 

Charles Van Mons, (old,) 

Cassolette, 

Compte de Fresnel, 

Copea, 

Caillat Rosat, 

Clara, 



64 



Bon Chretien d'Espagne, 

Bon Chretien of Brussells, 

Bergamotte Sylvange, 

Bergamotte Fortun^e, 

Beauty of Winter, 

Belmont, 

Bezi Vaet, 

Bruno de Bosco, 

Blanquet a longue queue, 

Burgomaster, 

Elton, 

Royal d' Hiver, 

Rouslette St. Vincent, 

Swans Egg, 

Saint Bruno, 



Clapp, 

Citron de Sirentz, 

Dearborn of Van Mons, 

Downton, 

Duquesne d'Ete, 

Doyenn6 Mons, 

Deschamp's New Late, 

Dumbarton, 

Doyenne Dore, 

Endicott, 

Pitt's Marie Louise, 

Rouse Lench, 

Sans Pepins, 

Surpasse Meuris. 



NEW VARIETIES. 

WHICH GIVE PROMISE OF BEING WORTHY TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST 
FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION. 



Duchesse d' Orleans, 
Brandywine, 
Chancellor, 
Doyenne d' Et^, 
Beurre d' Anjou, 
Manning's Elizabeth, 
Brande's St. Germain, 



PEARS. 

Pratt, 

Ott, 

Striped Madeleine, 

Ananas d' Etc, 

Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee, 

Van Assene, 

Doyenne Boussock. 



McLauschlin, 



Burr's New Pine, 



PLUMS. 
River's Favorite, St. Martin's Quetsche. 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Jenney's Seedling. 

RASPBERRY. 

Knevett's Giant. 

GRAPE— NATIVE. 

Diana. 



65 



[ Reported by Thos. Tileston, Jr. ] 

LIST OF FRUITS ADOPTED BY THE CONVEiNTION OCT., 1848. 



APPLES. 



Early Harvest, 

Large Yellow Bough, 

American Summer Pearmain, 

Summer Rose, 

Early Strawberry, 

Gravenstein, 

Fall Pippin, 



Madeleine, 

Dearborn's Seedling, 

Bloodgood, 

Tyson, 

Golden Beurr4 of Bilboa, 

Williams' Bon Chretien, or 

Bartlett, 
Seckel, 



Rhode Island Greening, 

Baldwin, 

Roxbury Russet, 

And^ for particular localities f 

Yellow Belle Fleur, 

Esopus Spitzenburg, 

Newtown Pippin. 

PEARS. 

Flemish Beauty, 

Beurre Bosc, 

Winter Nelis, 

Beurre d' Aremberg, 

Jlndj for particular localities^ 

White Doyenne, 

Gray Doyenne. 



Grosse Mignonne, 
George IV, 
Early York, serrated^ 
Large Early York, 
Morris White, 
Oldmixon Freestone, 



Jefferson, 
Green Gage, 
Washington, 
Purple Favorite, 
Bleecker's Gage, 



PEACHES. 

Cooledge's Favorite, 
Bergen's Yellow, 
Crawford's Late, 
Jlnd^ for particular localities f 
Heath Cling. 

PLUMS. 

Coe's Golden Drop, 

Frost Gage, 

Purple Gage, 

And^ for particular localities- 

Imperial Gage. 



66 



May Duke, 
Black Tartarian, 
Black Eagle, 
Graffion, or Bigarreau, 



CHERRIES. 

Knight's Early Black, 
Downer's Late, 
Elton, 
Downton. 



REPORTS 

OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 



It was the expectation of the Congress, in appointing the general 
committee, consisting of sub-committees in most of the States, to 
have full reports from all the principal sections of the Union; and it 
was the intention of the chairman to present a digested abstract, 
showing the result of the experience thus accumulated, in a condens- 
ed form. 

But the disastrous frost of April, 1849, more fatal in its effects, and 
more severe through the country generally, than any for thirty years 
previous, cut off most of the crop of fruit, and thus made it difficult, 
and often impossible for the state committees to collect that precise 
information regarding different varieties, which was needed. Many 
of the committees, therefore failed to make any report — not from 
want of interest in the subject, but solely from the impossibility of 
collecting materials. Another season will, it is hoped, enable them 
to present this part of the subject in a more satisfactory shape. 

As the following reports, though incomplete, contain a great deal 
of information highly useful in a local point of view, it has been 
thought advisable to present them entire, and leave all generalisation 
till the whole subject is presented this autumn, in a more complete 
form. 

A. J. DOWNING, 
Chairman General Fruit Committee. 



68 



PEiNNSYLVANIA. 
ItEPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE. 

The Fruit Committee for the State of Pennsylvania, appointed 
by the American Congress of Fruit Growers, respectfully report : 

That the general failure of the fruit crop this season, in conjunction 
with the prevalence of a malignant epidemic, has prevented them 
from devoting that attention to the subject of their appointment, 
which they contemplated and desired. In another year they flatter 
themselves a better opportunity will be afforded for performing their 
proper duties, and a report may then be presented, more satisfactory 
to the committee and to the Congress. On the present occasion, they 
propose confining their report to a few brief remarks in relation to 
some of the fruits cultivated in this region, and more especially those 
which have originated in our own State, or its immediate vicinity. 

The Apple generally succeeds well in Pennsylvania. The old 
varieties, which have long been in cultivation, have latterly been 
deteriorating ; and most of the reputed fine sorts from other parts of 
our country have not yet been introduced among us a sufficient length 
of time to enable us to form an accurate judgment of their adaptation 
to our soil and climate. It is believed there are many seedling vari- 
eties in this region worthy the attention of the Pomologist. A few 
only of these will be noticed at this time. 

Jeffries. — This is a new, Chester county apple, of good size and 
fine flavor ; ripe the beginning of September. It received the pre- 
mium offered by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, for the best 
seedling apple exhibited in 1848. A similar premium was also awar- 
ded to it by the Horticultural Society of Westchester. 

Republican Pippin. — An autumn apple of merit. Its size, appear- 
ance and flavor, all recommend it to our favorable notice. It is a 
native of Lycoming county, Penn. 

Smoke-house. — This fine Pennsylvania apple has not yet been ex- 
tensively cultivated out of its native state. It is a good autumn 
apple, and deserves to be better known. 

Fallenwalder. — This native apple is much grown in some parts of 
of Pennsylvania, especially the interior counties. Though only a 
second-rate fruit, yet its large size and fine keeping qualities, render 



69 

it wortliy of cultivation. In horticultural works it is usually called 
the Fallawater, which has been corrupted by our huckster women 
into " Pollywaller" and "Pollywolly." It originated in Berks 
county in this state, where it is also known as the Tulpahocken, after 
a stream of that name near its original locality. It sprung up in the 
woods, and was left standing after the other trees were cut down, 
hence the name Fallenwalder — the apple of the cut-down woods, 

Kane. — This is a good autumn apple, but not to be compared in 
flavor with some other apples of its season. Its beautiful, fair and 
brilliant appearance, however, will always render it a most desirable 
ornamental fruit for the table. Its origin is not precisely known, but 
it is believed to be a native of Delaware. 

Brandywine Pippin. — This native Delavrue apple, which was 
sent to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Siioiety last spring for the first 
time, made a favorable impression. It is of good size, with a plea- 
sant aromatic flavor, and possesses fine keeping qualities. It was eaten 
by the committee on the 8th of March, 19th of April, and again on 
the 7th of May. It originated contiguous to the Pennsylvania line, 
in Brandy wine Hundred. 

The United States has contributed a large and truly valuable col- 
lection of native pears to the Pomological world. Many of these, 
when brought into competition with the most renowned transatlantic 
varieties, will not sufl'er in the comparison ; and possess in a marked 
degree the decided advantage of being better adapted to the ne- 
cessities of our trying and variable climate. Some that are of Penn- 
sylvania origin, including the far-famed Seckel, we proceed simply 
to notice, 

Brandywine. — A new Pennsylvania pear of merit, and worthy of 
cultivation. Ripe the last of August. 

Chapman. — The original tree is on the grounds of the veteran 
Horticulturist, Colonel Robert Carr, near Philadelphia. It is a seed- 
ling of the Petre, and stands within some thirty or forty feet of its 
parent. Though not fine in texture, it is a high-flavored, juicy pear. 
It was named in honor of the lady of a British oflicer -who admired 
its flavor. Colonel Carr sent scions of it to Vilmorin & Co., of Pa- 
ris, in 1820, and again in 1825, under the name of the Chapmans. 
Loudon, in his Encyclopedia of Gardening, notices it as being of 
American origin, and resembling the Passe Colmar, to which it does 
aot bear any similitude. And the London Horticultural Society's 



70 

catalogue, gives It as a synonym of the Passe Colmar. This appa- 
rent discrepancy in confounding the Chapman, of American origin, 
with the Passe Colmar is explained by a fact recorded by Mcintosh, 
who states that an English market gardener by the name of Chap- 
man propagated the Passe Colmar very extensively, and sold it as a 
new variety, to which he gave his own name. Ripe the beginning 
of September. 

Chancellor. — This fine pear is believed to be a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. Only two trees in bearing, of this variety, are known to the 
committee ; one is at the country residence of Mr. Wharton Chancel- 
lor, near Germantown ; the other is in Germantown, in the garden of 
Mr. Green, from a graft of the preceding. Ripe the last of Septem- 
tember and beginning of October. 

Leech'' s Kingsessing — A Pennsylvania pear of high character. As 
the tree is on ground which has never received any tillage, it is 
natural to presume, that the fruit from grafted and budded trees, 
will be even finer than that obtained from the original. Ripe last of 
Augusr. 

Lodge. — A Pennsylvania pear of the first quality, and a most 
abundant bearer. The specimens this season, were unusually large, 
and fine. As soon as Mr. Lodge, the proprietor of the original tree, 
became aware of its merits, he caused it to be removed from the 
hedge, where it sprung up, to a more desirable situation, and thereby 
destroyed it. But scions having previously been taken from it, the 
variety was preserved. Ptipe the last of August, and beginning of 
September. 

Moyamendng. — Although the original tree has been standing in 
Philadelphia on the premises of the late Jno. B. Smith, for more than 
half a century, it has been but little disseminated, until within a year 
or two. It is a fine late summer pear, of a peculiar and handsome 
form. 

Ott. — A new Pennsylvania variety of small size and superior fla- 
vor. Ripe a month earlier than the Seckel, of which it is a seedling. 
This is probably the best summer pear we have. 

Pennsylvania. — An agreeable early autumn pear of high flavor, 
but of coarse texture. The original tree stands within twenty or 
thirty feet of the Moyamensing. 

Petre. — The original tree still flourishes on the grounds of Col. 
Carr. Why it has not been more extensively cultivated in this vi- 
cinity, is incomprehensible to us, since it bears uniformly, and most 
abundantly, and the fruit is of the first quality. 



71 

Seckel. — It will no doubt be interesting to Pomologists, to be in- 
formed, that the original world-renowned Seckel, is still in existence, 
though in a decaying condition, within the precincts of the county of 
Philadelphia. The city, to whom the ground on which it stands was 
bequeathed by the late Stephen Girard, has recently taken measures 
for its better preservation. Specimens of fruit from this parent tree, 
were exhibited a few weeks ago, at the annual show of the Pennsyl- 
vania Horticultural Society. 

Stienmetz's Catherine. — A refreshing and juicy, late summer pear 
of good size. Though Mr. Steinmetz obtained it from a nursery, 
in his vicinity for a grafted early Catherine, it is believed to be a 
native variety. The tree is very productive, and the fruit this sea- 
son was unusually large, some specimens being three inches and 
three-quarter in length, by two and a half in width. 

Tyson. — A valuable Pennsylvania pear, now pretty well known and 
properly appreciated at the eastward and in western New-York, contra- 
ry to what would be anticipated from the slender growth of the young 
wood, thetree acquires a great size. The fruit this season was large and 
remarkably fine. We saw specimens in 1848 with a brilliant red cheek, 
from a tree \vhich bore marked evidences of having been treble- 
worked, at the country seat of Mr. Welsh. Adjacent to this tree is 
another of large size, bearing fruit of the usual appearance ; period of 
maturity from the middle of August to the beginning of September. 

Washington. — This truly fine pear, though not a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, originated only a few hundred yards beyond its border in the 
State of Delaware. The original tree is still standing in the garden 
of Col. Thos. Robinson, at Naaman's creek. Allied to the white 
Doyenn6, of which it is probably a natural seedling, and almost, if 
not quite equal to it in flavor, it possesses over that variety the de- 
cided advantage of perfecting fair and delicious fruit beyond city 
limits. 

The Feaster, Hanover, Hewes, Jones, Lycoming, Montgomery, and 
other new native varieties of this region, have attracted the attention 
of the committee, but they defer giving an opinion in regard to their 
merits, till they have had a further opportunity of testing their quali- 
ties. 



72 



Autumn Bergamot — Under this name Col. Carr cultivates a pear 
of great excellence, worthy of extensive dissemination, and of which 
the following is a concise description : fruit 2} inches long by 2| 
wide; roundish tuib'nate; skin yellowish, with numerous minute 
russet dots, and a small russet patch at the insertion of the stem, and 
occasionally around the i lyx ; stem 1 inch long, |- thick, inserted 
with little or no depression, but with a slight prominence on one side j 
calyx small, closed, set in a shallow basin ; seed plump, dark brown j 
flesh of fine texture, exceedingly melting and buttery ; flavor delicious, 
delicately aromatic, without any bergamot perfume ; ripe from the first 
to the middle of September. An outline of two specimens is annex- 
ed. What variety is it 1 

Bezi de la Motte. — This old variety, once so celebrated for its ex- 
cellence, bears uniformly and abundantly ; the tree is still flourishing ; 
the fruit continues to be well formed, exceedingly buttery and melting, 
but so entirely devoid of flavor, as now scarcely to rank with us even 
third rate. 

Doyenne Blanc and Doyenne Gris. — These varieties, under ordin- 
ary treatment, and beyond city limits, are utterly worthless in our 
region. In towns, however, they still do well, maturing fruit of 
beautiful appearance and excellent quality. 

Fondante d^Jiutomne. — This most valuable Belgian pear preserves 
with us its high character. 

Louise Bonne de Jersey. — A most desirable variety here, as in other 
places, on account of its productiveness and pther good qualities. 

The Bartlett, Beurre d^Jlnjouj Doyenne Boussock, Flemish Beauty, 
Passe Colmarj St. Andre^ Van Mans Leon le Clerc, Beurre d^Arem- 
bergj and many other English, French, and Flemish pears, of high 
repute, have scarcely come into bearing with us j at least not to any 
extent. 

The Plum, though a most luscious fruit, is so liable in this section of 
country to the ravages of the curculio, as to restrict in a great meaa- 



73 

ure its extensive cultivation. In towns, however, this destructive in- 
sect being less abundant, the Washington, Ruling's Superb, Green 
Gage, Cob's Golden Drop, and other desirable kinds, are cultivated 
successfully, especially where the ground, under the trees, is paved. 
The market raspberry of Philadelphia, and the kind most com- 
monly cultivated in Pennsylvania, is the Genesee, a native of west- 
ern New-York, and found also in a wild state, on the Pocono moun- 
tain, in this State. Though usually called Red Antwerp, it differs 
from that variety in being of less size ; not so well flavored, but 
more hardy. 

The true Antwerps cannot be relied on for a crop, here, without 
protection. The same remark applies, though perhaps with less 
force, to the Fastolff' znd Giant. 

The Col. Wilder and Orange have not yet been subjected to open 
culture. They have stood well, however, in a small yard in Phila- 
delphia, while the Fastolff and Antwerps at their side were cut down 
' by the winter. 

Several new raspberries of fine size and flavor have been raised by 
a well-known Philadelphia nurseryman, and were exhibited before the 
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society during the past summer. Should 
they prove, as they probably will, more hardy than the foreign kinds, 
they will become a valuable acquisition to our collection. 

Melons. — A very large citron melon of great excellence has recent- 
ly appeared in the market of Philadelphia. It is grown by Mr. J. 
E. Scott, near Burlington, New Jersey, is nearly twice as large as 
the ordinary citron melon, and superior to it in quality. The com- 
mittee to consider it a new and distinct variety 3 and in their esti- 
mation the best melon of this region. 

Water Melons. — The finest water melon in this section of country 
is the Mountain Sweet. Itis of large size, oblong in form, the exterior of 
a uniform green color — of a lighter hue than the Spanish, thin rind, flesh 
scarlet to the centre, which is solid, brown seed, delicious flavor. The 
Mountain Sprout differs from the preceding in being striped, quite as 
large, of a similar form, rind somewhat thicker, flesh not so com- 
pact, seed of a pale red, flavor inferior to the preceding. The 
Spanish variety is also of large size, and good ; not equal, however, 
in quality to the Mountain Sweet, and has a much thicker rind. 
The present season having been so exceedingly adverse to pomo- 



74 

logical investigation, your committee have judged it expedient to 
■withhold the remarks they designed making (and, indeed, which 
they had prepared,) on the remaining varieties of fruit, for another, 
and, they trust, a more propitious year. Th.y are unwilling to con- 
clude, however, without indulging the hope that the several State 
committees will embody in their next report a brief notice of all the 
good native fruits of their section of country. A mass of the most 
valuable and important information, in relation to the merits of these 
American varieties, will in this way be collected by the Congress, 
and widely disseminated. 

W. D. BRINCKLE, 
E. W. KEYSER, 
THO. P. JAMES. 
Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 1849. 



NEW-YORK. 

REPORT OF B. HODGE, BUFFALO. 

A. J. Downing, Esq. — As a member of the Standing Fruit Com- 
mittee of the State of New- York, I have the pleasure of laying 
before you the following report. For reasons which I need not now 
mention, I have confined my remarks to a limited number of varieties. 
I am quite of the opinion that the time has arrived, in which we 
must very materially reduce the number of varieties of fruits now in 
cultivation. Yet at the same time fears may well be entertained that 
the pruning knife is about to be applied in too indiscriminate a man- 
ner. With some, there is a disposition to cut off all below " best," 
or " first quality." Now, in my opinion, the Jine flavor of any par- 
ticular sort of fruit is not the only ingredient in the catalogue of good 
qualities, that should be taken into the account. For instance, the 
Newtown Pippin all will admit to be of superior flavor. Yet in many 
parts of our country it is so unproductive and liable to bitter-rot, 
that it is altogether unprofitable. On the contrary, the Rhode Island 
Greening, although much inferior in flavor, yet in productiveness 
and other good qualities, can hardly be surpassed. The same remark 
will apply to Crawford's early and Crawford's lateMelocoton peaches; 
neither of them are of superior flavor, yet for size, beauty and unproduc- 



75 

tivenesSjthey are perhaps equal to any other varieties ; and in West-* 
ern New-York are more extensively grown for the market, than any 
other sorts. For the same reason, would I retain in a very small col- 
lection even (at least one tree) of the Keswick Codlin Apple; in flavor, 
not above second quality, but exceedingly productive; in use for culi- 
nary purposes from June to October ; and from its earliness in coming 
into bearing, indispensable to every new orchard. 

In looking over the catalogue of fruits, but few varieties will be 
found possessing or combining all the good qualities of a first rate 
fruit. Neither should the fruiting of any particular variety for one 
or two years, be considered as a sufficient test of its good or bad 
qualities. It should also be borne in mind that we have a great 
extent of country, and that latitude, soil and other causes, must and 
will have a great effect in various localities. For instance, the Ste- 
vens' Genesee pear, in some sections of our country, is considered as 
unworthy of cultivation ; and yet here, were I to have but one pear 
tree, it should be Stevens' Genesee. For size, beaut}^, and produc- 
tiveness, it is superior- — in flavor it is nearly first rate, and often equal 
to the White Doyenne. 

I am also of opinion, that an extensive list of fruits cannot be 
recommended for general cultivation. For instance, the Baldwin 
apple, so fine and fair in the eastern states and also in Western 
New-York, is in some parts of Ohio so subject to the bitter-rot as to 
be utterly worthless. 

I apprehend, also, that much difficulty will be experienced in pre- 
paring a list of rejected fruits. Last year at the Pomological Con- 
vention at Buffalo, the Brown Beurre and the Bezi de la Motte pears 
were voted as unworthy of cultivation. Yet for one, I am not pre- 
pared to cast them out. In my humble opinion, they are superior to 
three-fourths of the varieties in cultivation. Both are very produc- 
tive, and generally of good flavor ; require to be gathered early, and 
ripened in the house, and are then generally fine. The Brown Buene 
requires good culture, and the man who "plants his trees as he would 
a post," "stocks down his land to grass," and " trims up his trees so 
high that the cattle cannot injure them," had better select some other 
variety, say the Autumn Bergamotte or some kindred sort. 

I give, in the following list, the experience of the orchardists in 
Western New-York. In rating them as regards quality, I follow the 
terms of comparison for good fruits, adopted by the Congress, viz ; 
"good, very good, best." 



76 



APPLES. 

Roxbury Russet, best; superior in all good qualities. 

Baldwin, best; very productive and fine. 

Northern Spy, best; productive and superior, requires good culture. 

Rhode Island Greening, very good; one of the most productive 
and profitable. 

Swaar, best; fruit very fair and fine. 

Westfield Seek-no-further, very good; for January and February, 
very fine, soon looses its flavor. 

Esopus Spitzenbergh, best; productive and fine, always commands 
the highest price in the market. 

English Russet, very good; a long keeper, productive and fine. 

American Golden Russet, very good; very productive. 

Pomme Grise, best; popular, but too small to be profitable. 

Danver's Winter Sweet, good; productive, fruit fair, keeps well. 

Ladies' Sweeting, best; one of the very best winter sweet apples. 

Early Harvest, best; productive and fine, requires good culture. 

Bough or Sweet Bough, best; fruit always very fair, none better. 

Early Joe, best; productive and fine, but soon decays. 

Summer Rose, best; fine, but so far not productive. 

Sinequanon,best; trees grow slow and not productive. 

Early Strawberry, very good; productive, fruit fair. 

Williams' Favorite, very good; productive and has but few equals. 

American Summer Pearmain, very good; but recently fruited, so 
far fine. 

Summer Sweet Paradise, very good; but recently fruited, so far 

fine. 

Summer Queen, good; very fine for culinary purposes. 

Jersey Sweeting, very good; one of the best of the season. 

Peach Pound Sweet, very good; fair and fine. 

Golden Sweeting, good, none more productive, profitable. 

Pomme de Neige, very good; trees overbear, requires good cul- 
ture, then very fine. 

Red Astrachan, very good; popular in the market. 

Keswick Codlin, good; very productive, at least one tree should 
be in every collection. 

Jonathan, very good; recently fruited, so far very fine. 

Fall Pippin, best; an old sort, but has but few equals. 



77 

Detroit Red, good; a very productive, popular market fruit. 
Belmont, best; proves very tine. 

Hubbardston Nonsuch, best; fully maintains its eastern reputa- 
tion. 

PEARS. 

Bartlett, best; productive, always fair and fine. 

Beurre Diel, best; productive, and fine on pear or quince. 

Beurre Bosc, very good. 
. Beurre d'Aremberg, best; one of the best winter pears. 

Brown Beurre, very good; very productive, requires good culture. 

Bloodgood, best; one of the best early pears. 

Bergamot, Gansel's, very good; productive and generally very 
fine, first rate. 

Doyenne White, best; with good culture none better. 

Dearborn's Seedling, good; productive. 

Duchesse d'Angouleme, very good; one of the best on the quince. 

Easter Beurre, very good; fruit generally fair, requires care to 
ripen well. 

Flemish Beauty, best; very productive, always fair and fine. 

Frederick of Wirtemberg, very good; rather variable so far. 

Fulton, good; very productive. 

Fondante d'Automne, best. 

Glout Morceau, best; among the finest winter pears. 

Louise Bonne de Jersey, best; very productive and " the best pear 
on quince stock." 

Marie Louise, very good; rather variable, generally good. 

Madeleine, best; one of the best early sorts, should be gathered 
early. 

Onondaga or Swan's Orange, very good; but recently fruited, so 
far, very fine. 

Passe Colmar, very good; productive. 

Paradise d'Automne, best; one of the very best autumn pears. 

Seckel, best ; productive and " the best autumn pear," 

Steven's Genesee, very good; wonderfully productive, always 
large and fair. 

Thompson, fruited two seasons, so far very good. 

Winter Nelis, best; a most superior winter pear, productive. 

Urbaniste, very good; so far sustains a fair reputation. 



78 

Andrews, best; so far fine. 

Osband's Summer, very good. 

Rostiezer, best; bids fair to prove of superior excellence. 

Tyson, best; no doubt one of our very best sorts. 

Van Mons Leon le Clerc, best; very fine, but not " the best." 

CHERRIES. 

American Heart, good; very productive. 

Buttner's Yellow, very good; ripens late, and proves very fine. 

Belle de Choisy, best; sweet and rich, not very productive. 

Black Eagle, best; first rate in every respect. 

Black Tartarian, best; " " 

Black Heart, good; productive, and as yet a popular old sort. 

Bauman's May, very good; the earliest sort, and fine for the 
season. 

Bigarreau or Graflfion, best; very productive and fine. 

Belle Magnifique, very good; productive, and fine when fully ripe. 

Downton, best; one of the most productive. 

Downers Late, best; a very superior late sort. 

Early Purple Guigne, good; ripens early, not very productive. 

Elton, best; for size, beauty and flavor unsurpassed. 

Holland Bigarreau, very good; bids fair to prove very fine. 

Knight's Early Black, best; the very best early sort. 

Late Duke, good; a very good late sort. 

May Duke, very good; productive, should be in every collection. 

Napolean Bigarreau, best; a superior fruit, productive. 

Tradesescant's Black Heart, very good; productive, and a fine mar- 
ket fruit. 

Waterloo, very good; very productive, a valuable sort. 

White Bigarreau, very good; generally productive and very fine. 

PLUMS. 

Bleecker's Gage, very good; productive and valuable. 
Coe's Golden Drop, very good; fruit fair and fine, not very pro- 
ductive. 

Columbia, very good; so far proves fine. 

Duane's Purple, very good; very productive, and very beautiful. 

Drap d'Or, very good; not very productive, fruit fine. 

Frost Gage, good; productive, and a fine late variety. 

Green Gage, best; " the best sort," succeeds well here. 



79 

Huling's Superb, very good; fruit very fair and fine. 
Imperial Gage, very good; one of the most productive sorts. 
Jefferson, best; but recently fruited, proves very fine. 
Lawrence's Favorite, best; one of the very best sorts. 
Purple Gage, best; this also proves very fine. 
Smith's Orleans, very good; one of the most productive sorts. 
Washington, very good; succeeds well on a clay soil. 
White Damson, good; always produces large crops. 

PEACHES. 

Crawford's Early, good; the most productive, and profitable early 
sort. 

Crawford's Late, very good; very productive, and always fine. 

Early Tillotson, best; fruit fine, trees somewhat subject to mildew. 

Early York, (serrated leaf,) best; productive and succeeds very 
well. 

Grosse Mignonne, best; fruit always very fair. 

George the Fourth, best; fine beautiful fruit, not very productive. 

Noblesse, best; may be classed among the best sorts. 

Red Cheek Melocoton, very good; very productive, sells well in 
market. 

Royal George, very good; fruit generally fine, trees subject to 
mildew. 

Red Rareripe, very good; fruit fine, some other sorts more pro- 
ductive. 

Snow Peach, good; productive, one of the best for preserving. 

Large Early York, best; one of the most productive and best sorts. 

In the above report I have purposely omitted many of the newer 
varieties of fruits. I have now in my grounds, and am annually 
importing from Europe, and procuring from various sources in our 
own country, the more choice and select sorts as they are brought 
out. Many of these are from year to year coming into bearing, but 
time is required to test them fully and judiciously. The world is 
full of humbugs, and many of the high sounding names of so called 
" choice fruits," are destined to perpetual banishment from the fruit 
garden, when once fairly tested. 

All of which is very respectfully submitted. 
Yours very truly, 

B. HODGE. 

Buffalo Nursery, Oct. 1, 1849. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE. 



No formal report was received from this committee, but in its place 
the following list of fruits, showing the experience of the cultivators 
of the State regarding many of the established varieties. By com- 
paring these lists with the rejected, and the approved lists, as actual- 
ly adopted in the Congress, the reader will beable to form a good 
idea of the effect of soil and climate of New-England on foreign 
fruits. — Chairman Gen. Fruit Com. 

1. Fruits recommended to be added to the list for general culti- 
vation: 

Pears. 

Buffum, 

Vicar of Winkfield, 

Uvedale's St. Germain, (or Pound 

for Cooking,) 
Louise Bonne de Jersey (on quince) . 

Jlpples. 

Hubbardston Nonsuch, 
Danvers Winter Sweet, 

Grapes.) (Foreign,) under glass. 
Black Hamburgh, Grizzly Frontignan, 

Black Prince, White Frontignan, 

Black Frontignan, White Muscat of Alexandria. 

JVative Grapes, for open culture. 
Isabella, 



Rostiezer, 

Andrews, 

Fulton, 

Fondante d' Automne, 

Urbaniste, 

Porter, 
Fameuse, 



Elruge, 
Violet Hative. 

Red Dutch, 
White Dutch, 

Knevett's Giant, 
Fastolff, 

Early Virginia, 



Catawba. 
Jfectarines. 

Downton. 

Currants. 

Black Naples, 
May's Victoria, 

Raspberries. 

Franconia, 
Yellow Antwerp, 

Strawberries. 

Hovey's Seedling. 



81 



2. New varieties, which give promise of being worthy to be added 
to the list for general cultivation : 



PEARS. 
Citron des Carmes Panache, or Duchesse d'Orleans, 

Striped Madeleine, 
Doyenne d'ete, 
Elizabeth (Manning's,) 
Beurr^ d'Anjou, 
Doyenne Boussock, 



Pratt, 

Paradise d'Automne, 

Van Assene, 

Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee, 

Brande's St, Germain. 



3. List of rejected fruits :* 
Alexander of Russia, 
Amandes d'ete, 
Admiral, 
Aston Town, 
Ambrosia, 
Amande Double, 
Autumn Bergamot, 
D' Amour, 
Angers, 

Beurr6 d'Angleterre, 
Beurre Seutin, 
Beurre of Boswiller, 
Beurr6 Delberg, 
Bon Chretien d'Espagne, 
Bon Chretien of Brussells, 
Bergamotte Sylvange, 
Bergamotte Fortunee, 
Bergamotte Parthenay, 
Beauty of Winter, 
Boucquia, 
Belmont, 
Bezi Vaet, 
Bruno de Bosco, 
Blanquet a Longue queue. 
Burgomaster, 
Cuvelier, 
Chat Grille, 



Chair a Dame, 

Charles Van Mon?, (Old,) 

Cassolette, 

Comte de Fresnel, 

Copea, 

Caillot Rosat, 

Clara, 

Cumberland, 

Colmar d'ete, 

Clapp, 

Citron de Sirentz, 

Dearborn, (Van Mons,) 

Downton, 

Duquesne d'ete. 

Doyenne Mons, 

Deschamps, New Late, 

Dunbarton, 

Doyenne Diere, 

En fan Prodige, 

Endicott, 

Elton, 

Fondante d'ete, 

Frederick of Prussia, 

Famenga, 

Forme Urbaniste, 

Fantasie Van Mons, 

Forme des Delices, 



82 



French Iron, 

Green Yair, 

Grise Bonne, 

Garnstone, 

Green Catharine, 

Gilogll, 

Green Sugar, 

Gros Blanquet, 

Green Chisel, 

Hays, 

Hathornc's Seedling, 

Horticulture, 

Hastiveau, 

Ipswich Holland, 

Jargonelle, (of the French,) 

Kramelsbirne, 

Lincoln, 

Louis of Bologne, 

Lederbirne, 

Louise Bonne, 

Lodge, 

Lansac, 

Madame Vert, 

Miller' s Seedling, 

Marquis, 

Marceiis, 

Navez, 

Orange, 

Orange Tulippe, 

Phillips, 



Pitfour, 

Piatt's Bergaraot, 

Passe Long Bras, 

Prince's Portugal, 

Pope's Scarlet Major, 

Pitt's Marie Louise, 

Royale d'Hiver, 

Rouse Lench, 

Rousselette St. Vincent, 

Sans Pepins, 

Swan's Egg, 

Surpasse Meuris, 

Saint Bruno, 

Swiss Bergamot, 

Souvereine, 

Sickler, 

Thompson's (native N. H.) 

Tucker's Seedling, 

Trubscherdy Dule, 

Valee Franche, 

Whitfield, 

Windsor, 

Winter Orange, 

Wurtzer d'Automne, 

Yutte, 

Crassane, 

Winter Crassane, 

Citron of Bohemia, 

Madotte, 



Belle de Bruxelles, 

• It will of course be understood that this list applies to Massachusetts. Many 
of the varieties rejected here are valuable in other parts of the country more fa- 
vored in soil and climate. A considerable portion of them, however, will be 
found in the list actually rejected by the Congress. Chairman. 



83 

APPLES. 

Beachamwell's, Grey French Reinette, 

Cathead (of Philadelphia,) Muscovia, 

Caroline (of English cat.,) Irish Peach, 

Dodge's Early Red, Pigeonette, 

Fenouillet Rouge, Salina, 

S. WALKER, 
JONAH LOVETT, 2d, 
ROBERT MANNING, 
P. B. HOVEY, Jr., 

Commitiee. 



VERMONT. 

REPORT OF C. GOODRICH. 

Burlington, ( Vt.) Sept. 2Sth, 1849. 
To Marshall P. Wilder, Esq., 

Pres't JYational Convention Fruit Growers : 

Sir, — I have not been able to meet with or consult the other mem- 
bers of your committee who reside at Bennington, as we have fewer 
communications with that town than with Liverpool, and as we have 
no State organization, no definite State report can be made. 

The past season has been very dry, and for two months very warm, 
the thermometer for same days rising to 100° and more. But little 
rain fell last fall, and for 1849 it has been for 

January 1 to May, , 3.81 inches. 

May, 2.74 

June 1 to August 6, 3.14 

August 6 to 14, 4. 16 

and since, occasional showers. 

This, for this country, unprecedented drought affected fruit various- 
ly ; the size was small until the rain in August, since which all ex- 
cept early fruits have increased in size rapidly; still, the crop is about 
two weeks later than an average, and about three-fourths the usual 
size. Some northern varieties of Apples are very poor, others good, 
while the Newtown Pippin is larger and fairer than I have ever be- 
fore seen it. As a whole, we have a full average of Apples, Pears, 
Plums and Cherries, both as to quality and quantity. Grapes were 
never better ; the berries in some cases small, but no mildew. 



84 

Of Apples, many English and Canadian varieties were among the 
first cultivated. The Cornish Gilliflower, generally discarded, is here 
one of the highest flavored. Ribston Pippin and English Apples 
generally, flourish well. 

Among Apples generally cultivated, 

Early Harvest is here hardy, and in every respect first rate. 

Sweet Bough, do. do. 

Porter, do. 

Gravenstein, do. 

Fameuse is a great favorite, a great bearer in alternate years, but 
not equal to those grown in its native locale, Montreal, and ripens a 
month earlier. 

St. Lawrence, another native of Montreal, is first rate for cooking 
or for a dessert apple, and ripens two weeks earlier. 

Among our winter Apples, the Esopus Spitzenburgh was one of 
the first introduced ; has been extensively cultivated, but is apt to be 
spotted, and for our climate is not equal to the 

Baldwin, which is in every respect first rate. 

Rhode Island Greening, do. 

Hubbardston Nonsuch, do. 

Roxbury Russet, do. 

Our best winter sweet Apple is the Danvers Winter Sweet. The 
Ladies Sweeting recently introduced, promises well in favorable 
situations. The Newtown Pippin, in favorable locations, is in some 
seasons good, occasionally very fine, and sometimes very poor. Not 
recommended for general culture. 

The Northern Spy has not yet fruited. No variety grows better 
than this, or appears more hardy. 

The Yellow Belle Bleur is considerably cultivated 25 miles north 
of this, where it is a very vigorous grower, a good bearer, and a great 
favorite. 

The Pomme Grise, from Montreal, and the Burressa from Quebec, 
are here Apples of the highest flavor, and worthy a trial further south. 

Of Pears, the White Doyenne is one of the most common • it is 
always fine, and trees healthy — was among the first introduced. There 
has been but little attention given to the introduction of new varieties 
until a few years past, not long enough to speak with confidence. 
Generally they promise well — but few instances of blight. Dear- 
born's Seedling is our best summer pear. 



85 

The Bartlett is a favorite. 

Plums are abundant, and trees are healthy. No disease of any 
kind has ever attacked them. 

The Grapes mostly cultivated are natives of New England. The 
Isabella ripens well in good situations, but requires slight protection 
in winter. 

Should you deem this of any service, use it ; if not, it may be 
thrown aside. I hope another year to have materials to make some- 
thing like a State report; also, should I not be able to attend, to be 
able to send a box of specimens, which I should now do did a private 
opportunity offer. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

G. GOODRICH. 



CONNECTICUT. 
REPORT OF THE STATE COMMITTEE. 

Your committee for the State of Connecticut, would respectfully 
report, that they have endeavored to collect all the information, rela- 
ting to the subject for which they were appointed, that could reason- 
ably be expected in one short season. 

It will be proper to state here, that one of your committee, George 
Olmsted Esq. of East Hartford died soon after his appointment. Rev. 
Wm. W. Turner of Hartford was appointed by the chairman, to fill 
the vacancy thus occasioned. 

The observations of those of your committee residing at New Ha- 
ven will be upon the success of fruit culture on a I'ght sandy soil, ly- 
ing upon a sandy subsoil and situated on the seacoast. Of the others 
residing at Hartford, upon both a sandy and clayey soil, lying upon 
either a clay or gravelly subsoil and situated about thirty miles interi- 
or on the Connecticut river. 

We will commence with the first fruits of the season and take no- 
iice of them in the order in which they come to maturity, with this 
general remark ; notwithstanding the soil in and around New Ha- 
ven is so light and sandy, it appears nevertheless, with suitable tillage, 
to be well adopted to nearly all the fruits commonly cultivated in our 
latitude, except apples, which do much better on the higher and 



heavier soils in the state, especially in the counties of Hartford and 
Litchfield. Our soil affords very convenient harbor for insects, and 
if we have apples at all we must generally either take them inhabited 
or second hand. 

Strawberries. 

This fruit in ordinary seasons, begins to ripen the last of May and 
continues about a month. There are about thirty varieties cultivated 
with us. Nearly every garden has its strawberry bed. The varieties 
considered the best, are Hovey's seedling and Boston Pine. They 
are planted on the same bed or near by, but the plants are not allow- 
ed to intermingle. The Crimson Cone, Chili, Buist's Prize, French 
Yellow, Willie's Seedling, Bishop's Orange and Jenny's Seedling 
stand next in merit. Tlic Peruvian, a staminate variety, bears fruit 
of more uniform size than liovey's Seedling, but is a shy bearer. 
Black Prince, good bearer, but lacks flavor ; Methven Scarlet, Ross' 
Phoenix, Princess Alice Maude and Prolific Hautbois are about third 
rate. Aberdeen Beehive, Early Va. Scarlet and some others so far 
as they have been tried, rank no higher than '' good." The Alpines 
aie also considered of not much value for general cultivation. 

Raspberries. 
The American or common Red, Franconia and Fastolff are most es- 
teemed. The Red, White and Yellow Antwerps do not stand our 
winters unprotected and are but little cultivated. 

Gooseberries 
Are so liable to mildew with us, that not much attention is paid to 
their culture ; and yet they may be found in many of our gardens, and 
in some cases when considerable attention is given, do well. They 
do not appear so subject to mildew in gardens situated near salt wa- 
ter, that is, within a few rods. 

Cherries. 
This fruit does very well in the light soil of New Haven, and comes 
early into bearing. The trees seldom get winter-killed, yet some- 
times die without apparent cause. They grow in six or eight years 
to eighteen feet or more in height, eight or ten inches diameter in the 
trunk, and eighteen or twenty feet across the branches. The birds 
and fliesj however, often lay claim to a large share of the best of the 
fruit. 



87 

The May-Duke is a regular and great bearer, ripening in succession 
on the same tree ; Bells de Choisy, very good, but sby bearer; Roy- 
al Duke does well ; Kentisb Morello bears abundantly and regularly. 

Black Eagle is one of the richest and best flavored ; Black Tar- 
tarian, large and one of the best ; Honey Heart, small, but good 
bearer; Elton, tender fleshed and of best quality. 

Bigarreau or Yellow Spanish, White Bigarreau or White Ox 
Heart, Holland Bigarreau, Flesh colored Bigarreau, Tradescants 
Black Heart or Elkhorn and American Heart are about all the firm- 
fleshed varieties cultivated with us. They are shy bearers generally, 
but the fruit is large and good ; probably they produce more abundant- 
ly on heavier soils. (All, except White Bigarreau, bear most abun- 
dantly in the heavy loam of the Hudson. Chairatun Gen. Fruit Com.) 

Plums. 

A dozen years ago the opinion was very general that plums could 
not be raised at New-Haven and its vicinity on account of the dis- 
ease known by the name of knots or warts. The disease, however, 
has gradually subsided, and plums are now raised, both in size and 
quality, to the satisfaction of all who are so fortunate as not to have 
them destroyed by the curculio. Various experiments for the de- 
struction of this insect, or to prevent its injuring the fruit, have hith- 
erto proved ineffectual, unless a preventive recently discovered by 
one of your committee shall prove, as it fairly promises, to be en- 
tirely effectual. 

The following are most of the varieties cultivated : Green Gage^ 
best ; trees grow rather slowly, but they are free and regular bearers 
and the fruit is decidedly the best ; Washington, Yellow Gage, Go- 
liath, Buel, Huling's Superb and Jefferson, take the same rank; Coe's 
Golden Drop and Imperial Gage, decay on the tree; Smith's Orleans, 
Bleecker's Gage, Emerald Drop, Dominie Dull and Lombard, very 
good; Royal de Tours, very good, but shy bearer; Frost Gage is 
of best quality; White Magnum Bonum very good for preserves; 
Damsons good. 

Peaches. 
People in our region have become very much discouraged in re- 
gard to raising this delicious fruit. The trees have the yellows in 
many cases, before they begin to bear, and if they bear at all, it is 
only for one or two seasons ; seedlings, or some inferior sort, may be 



an exception. The choice standard varieties, if they bear so mnch 
as one season, do not last. One of your committee, ten years ago, 
raised as fine peaches as could be desired, and in great abundance j 
but now, on the same ground, with much pains, is unable to get any 
worth naming. 

The theory of Dr. Van Mons, " that the improvement of the qual- 
ity of the fruit is at the expense of the life of the tree," and " that 
those trees which produce the most delicate fruit are short lived," 
may afford a hint in regard to the difficulty of raising peaches. 

I The explanation of the great prevalence of the yellows in Con- 
necticut, lies, we imagine, in the fact of the large introduction of 
later years, or" unhealthy trees, bought indiscriminately in the mar- 
kets of New-York, A little attention to destroying every tree already 
affected, and introducing those of healthy constitution from other 
districts, will very soon result in the production of the finest fruit 
again, as has been abundantly proved in many parts of the State of 
New- York. Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.\ 

Pears* 
\ This fruit seems to have been cultivated at New-Haven from a very 
early period of its settlement, as appears from several trees now 
standing, which bear fruit from year to year, and are known to be 
over two hundred years old. 

Fifty or more years ago, there also appears to have been unusual 
attention given to this fruit, as there are a large number of trees scat- 
tered throughout the town, of about that age — more, probably, than 
can be found in any other in the State, but they are mostly of the 
old, and what are now considered, inferior sorts, such as the Pound 
Pear, Harvest, Sugar Top, Orange, Jonah, Winter Bell, Virgalieu, 
Bon Chretien and some others. These trees, however, in many in- 
stances, are turned to good account by having the new varieties en- 
grafted upon them, to the number, in some cases, of twenty or more. 
The new sorts grow vigorously upon the old trees^ producing fruit 
in from two to four years. 

More recently, increasing attention has been given to this fruit, and 
many of the new and superior kinds have been introduced, for most 
of which we are indebted to our eastern friends, who have taken 
such honorable lead in procuring and disseminating new and valua- 
ble varieties. 

In the list of pears found here, we rate them as follows : Skinless, 



89 

good; Catharine, very goodj Hubbard's Seedling, good; Ive's Seed" 
ling, good; Bloodgood, best; Doyenne d' Ete, best. These ripen with 
tis the first week in August. The Doyenne d' Ete, on quince, is the 
best of them. Summer Bergamot, good ; Sugar Top, good ; Fine 
Gold of Summer, good; Rousselet Hatif, good; Dearborn's Seedling, 
best; Tyson, best; English Jargonelle, best ; Windsor, good; Early 
Harvest, good; French Jargonelle, good for nothing with us; Juli- 
enne, best; Madeleine, very good; Edward's Citron, very good; Sum- 
mer Franc Real, on quince very superior; Bartlett, best; Orange, good; 
Summer Bon Chretien, good. 

Among our fall or autumn pears, Andrews is very good; Bleeck- 
er's Meadow, great bearer, sometimes very good; Beurre de Capiau- 
mont, sometimes very good, ripe 1st Oct.; Beurre Brown, very good; 
Beurre Bosc, best; Beurre d' Amalis, good j Beurre Diel, best; Bezi 
de la Motte, good ; Golden Beurra of Bilboa best, 1st Sept.; Gan- 
sel's Bergamot, sometimes best, 20 Sept.; Howell, best, 20 Sept.; 
Calhoun best, last Oct.; White Doyenne, not good ; Henrietta, very 
good, 1st Sep. ; Elizabeth, very good, Oct. ; Flemish Beauty, best, 
Sept. 20 ; Louise Bonne de Jersey, best, Oct. 1st ; Fondante d'Au- 
tomne, best; Napoleon, very good ; St. Ghislain, very good, Sept. 1; 
Seckel, best, Oct. 1; Van Mons Leon le Clerc, best, Oct. 1 ; Wash- 
ington, good ; Rushmore's Bon Chretien, good, Oct. 1; Duchesse 
d'Angouleme, best ; Cushing's Melting, very good ; Tea Pear, best, 
Sept. 1; Frederick of Wurtemburg, very good; Urbaniste, very good. 

Among winter pears : Beurre d'Aremberg, best ; Vicar of Wink- 
field, best; Easter Beurre, very good ; St. Germain, (old) good; 
Prince's St. Germain, good ; Winter Virgalieu or Colmar, good ; 
Winter Bell, (sometimes weighing near two pounds,) very good for 
cooking ; Jonah or Winter Franc Real, great bearer — good ; Glout 
Morceau and Passe Colmar, not yet fiuited; Columbia, good ; Win- 
ter Nelis, best. 

There are other foreign winter varieties, but not sufficiently tested 
to warrant an opinion. 

A large number of seedling pears have originated in New-Haven 
and its neighboring towns — some of which have already been noticed 
in this report and are more or less known. It may be interesting to 
some present to hear something of others. 

The late Gov. Edwards planted pear seeds about 30 years ago for 
the purpose of obtaining new varieties. There are now standing in 
the garden he cultivated 30 varieties named by himself. Some of 



90 

them quite, and others nearly, first rate — such as the Citron, Cal- 
houn, Dallas, Henrietta, Elizabeth, &c. The Edwards and Clay are 
the largest — they ripen in September and October. 

The late Mr. Thos. Howell, whose garden is adjoining Gov. Ed- 
wards', followed his example and planted pear seeds — the result is, 
at least one first rate pear, viz : the Howell. 

The " New-Haven Beauty" is very handsome, but not quite first 
rate. Another, a sweet pear, of good size, is excellent for baking. 
Some bore this season for the first time — others have not yet fruited. 
About 20 trees in all. 

The Punderson pear is a great bearer and very good. There are 
seedlings by Dr. Totten worthy of notice. Also by Dr. Eli Ives, a 
large number — some of which are -.vorthy of dissemination. At 
Whitneyville is a chance seedling — the Skinner pear. The Tea 
pear originated in Milford, the next town west of us, and is an ex- 
cellent variety — ripe 1st September. White's seedling — also a new 
seedling by S. D. Pardee— of promise. 

Fruit trees are with us transplanted with more care than formerly, 
and the operation is better understood, as well as its importance in 
reference to success. It is considered indispensable no.w with us to 
trench the ground where fruit trees are to be planted— that is, dig 
two spades deep — manuring freely, and mixing the whole thoroughly 
together — thus making a soil two feet deep. 

The manures commonly used, are stable, peat, muck, oyster shell 
or stone lime, ashes, and the leaves or litter of the ground, all thrown 
together into a heap in the fall, making a compost which in the spring 
is in fine condition for use. Ground bone is also used, and guano. 
The latter is mostly in liquid form. 

Quince stocks for pears, especially for the garden, are coming very 
much into favor. The fruit appears to be fairer, handsomer and bet- 
ter than when upon pear stocks. Pear trees with us appear to be en- 
tirely exempt from disease. 

Quinces 
Do well in our light soil, bear abundantly and the fruit is of large 
size, when the trees are regularly pruned and receive an annual top 
dressing of manure. The Orange or Apple, the Portugal and also the 
Pear shaped varieties are cultivated in Connecticut. 



91 

Grapes. 
Almost every residence in our region has its grape vine and some 
have from 20 to 30. The Isabella and Catawba are the most com- 
mon, and when planted where they receive some protection from coldj 
they amply repay the cultivation ; but if planted in the open ground 
without protection, they often fail. The Bland or Alexander, Shirt- 
lefF seedling, Missouri, Miller's Burgundy, Zinfindal and some others 
are also cultivated here in a few cases. 

• Foreign varieties under glass are not extensively cultivated. Where 
they are, however, good success and entire satisfaction have attended. 

Apricots and JYectarines 
are both cultivated. Very handsome specimens of which were shown 
at our weekly exhibitions this season. The former are in all cases 
trained to some building and have been noticed by your committee 
on the north, south and east sides, doing well in each aspect. 

Apples. 
Our leport on this fruit, will, in order to make it more satisfactory, 
be entirely deferred till next year. 

GEORGE GABRIEL, 

A. S. MUNSON, 
V. M. DOUW, 
H. TERRY, 
W. W. TURNER. 
Committee for the State of Connecticut. 



MAINE. 

REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE. 

Pomology, with a few honorable exceptions, has as yet received but 
a small share of attention from the inhabitants of the state of Mailie. 
In fact, the cultivation of choice fruits, till within a few years past, 
has been almost entirely neglected in by far the greater portion of 
our state, although we have very good soil, in all the varieties usually 
found in the other New England States. Very many, if not most of 
the varieties of the apple, the plum, and the gooseberry, thrive with 
us, and may be safely cultivated, as our own experience has, at least 



92 

partially, proved, in as great perfection as in other States of the 
Union; and many varieties are improved by being transplanted from 
other locations to this state. Some select varieties of the pear and 
cherry may be grown successfully with us, but our climate generally 
is not i;o congenial to the growing of these fruits at that of New- 
York or Massachusetts. 

The quince has been cultivated even in great perfection by some 
individuals on the Kennebec river; but in other parts of our state the 
effort has not been attended with the same success. 

The cultivation of the peach has also proved a failure, excepting 
in a few instances where the location is very favorable; but we are 
confident it is not suited to the rigors of our climate. 

We are inclined to believe some hardy and very early varieties of 
the grape may be cultivated with success. We need a longer sea- 
son to ripen this fruit. The English Gooseberry thrives with us ad- 
mirably, and probably in greater perfection than in other states; and 
is generally very free from mildew. Two of your committee culti- 
vate about fifty varieties of this berry. The fruit of some kinds 
attained a very large size, being four inches in circumference, and of 
first rate flavor. We would respectfully call the attention of the 
citizens of our State to this fruit as it is well suited to it. 

We find ashes and meadow muck, pounded bones and horn shav- 
ings to be highly valuable as manures for trees and shrubs, to be used 
as recommended by Mr. Downing in several numbers of the " Horti- 
culturist," particularly for the year past. 

Until we have more experience it is not our design to extend our 
remarks, (especially in this our first report,) further than to comply 
with the solicitations of some of our citizens of Maine, in giving the 
names of a few such fruits as experience has indicated to be best 
suited to our climate, and such as are worthy of general cultivation 
jn the most northern State in the Union. 

Apples. 
BelPs Early, Early Sweet Bough, William's Favorite, Gravenstein, 
Porter, Red Astrachan, Danvers Winter Sweet, Golden or Orange 
Sweet, Tallman's Sweet, Ribston Pippin, R. I. Greening, Roxbury 
Russett, Duchess of Oldenberg, Baldwin, Fameuse. 

Pmrs. 
Dearborn's Seedling, Seckel, Flemish Beauty, Heathcot, Louise 
Bonne de Jersey, Golden Beurre of Bilboa, Vicar of Winkfield, Mc- 



93 

Laughlin, Frederick of Wurtemberg, Glout Morceau, Beurre d'Arem- 
bergj Winter Nelis, Fulton, Belle Lucrative and Rostiezer. 

Plums. 
Jefferson, Green Gage, Washington, Imperial Gage, Purple Gage, 
Purple Favorite, McLaughlin, Lombard, Imperial Ottoman, Frost 
Gage, Columbia, Bleecker's Gage, and for preserving, the White 
Magnum Bonum, Smith's Orleans, Diapree Rouge, American Yellow 
Gage. 

Cherries. 
May Duke, Downer's Late, Black Eagle, Elton, Downton, Honey- 
Heart. 

Gooseberries. 
Red Warrington, Crown Bob, Whitesmith, Green Walnut, Red 
Champagne, Yellow Champagne, Early Green Hairy, Heart of Oak, 
Houghton's Seedling, Keen's Seedling, Green Gage, White Honey, 
Rifleman, Bright Venus, Early Sulphur, Yellow Ball, Smiling Beauty, 
and Green Laurel. 
All which is respectfully submitted. 

HENRY LITTLE, 
S. L. GOODALE. 



OHIO. 

REPORT OF A. McINTOSH. 

To A. J. Downing, Esq., 

Chairman of General Fruit Committee : 
In consequence of the general failure of the fruit crop this year 
throughout the State, but little opportunity has presented for carrying 
out the views of the Congress. It was the intention of our commit- 
tee to have met during the season at different places in the State, for 
the purpose of examining, comparing and testing the various fruits of 
each locality, observing the character of the soil, system of cultiva- 
tion, process of manuring, mode of culture, &c. In any ordinary 
season this course would have ensured the collection of many valua- 
ble statistics. It is hoped that another year will supply this deside- 
ratum, and enable the committee to lay before Congress whatever 
interesting evidence can be drawn from the productions of our fertile 



94: 



soil and genial climate, as well as from the experience of our many 
intelligent, practical horticulturists. Owing to this unprecedented 
scarcity of fruit, the exhibitions of our local societies have been less 
interesting than usual, and the committee do not deem it advisable to 
attempt a general report for the State. They will await another 
year's experiment before proceeding to pass judgment on the many 
inferior or worthless kinds of fruit that are still extensively cul- 
tivated. 

In the tables and remarks that follow, the responsibility for accuracy 
rests with the undersigned alone, and his opinions are based on care- 
ful observation and actual experience in northern Ohio, and may not 
be applicable to all sections of the State, It is, however, proper to 
remark, that these views are approved of by the distinguished and in- 
telligent officers and members of the Cleveland Horticultural Society. 

I proceed to classify, in the manner recommended by you, certain 
varieties of fruit, omitting all such as seem to require farther time 
and testing, to determine their proper merit : 

APPLES. 

Very good. 
Summer Rose, 
Porter, 
Rambo, 

Strawberry, Autumn, Belmont, 
Rh. Island Greening, Swaar, 
Yellow Belle-Fleur, Esopus Spitzenburg, 
Lady Apple, Early Strawberry. 

Were my selection limited to a single variety, I should prefer the 
Belmont. 

PEARS. 

Very good. Best. 

Louise Bonne de Jer- Seckel, 

sey, on Quince stock, Stevens' Genesee, 
Doyenne White, do, Madeleine, 
Bartlett, Winter Nelis, 

Bloodgood, Dearborn's Seedling, 

Beurre Diel, on Quince stock, 

Duchesse d'Angouleme, 

on Quince stock, 
Marie Louise, do. 
For a single variety, I prefer the Bartlett. 



Good. 
Bough, Large Early, 
Red Astrachan, 
Summer Queen, 
Jonathan, 
Roxbury Russet, 
Red Seeknofurther, 



Best. 

Early Harvest, 
Gravenstein, 
Fall Pippin, 



Good. 
Napoleon, 

Frederic of Wurtem- 
burg, 



95 

CHERRIES. 

Good. Very Good. Best 

Napoleon, Elton, Belle de Choisy, 

Tradescant'sBl'k heart. Black Eagle, Bigarreau, 

May Duke, Knight's Early Black, Black Tartarian, 

American Heart, Amber, Downer's late Red 

Black Heart. 

Best single variety. Black Tartarian. 
There are several other varieties including some seedlings, that give 
promise of excellence, but farther probation is required before their 
just rank can be assigned them 

PEACHES. 

Good. Very Good. Best. 

Early Ann, President, Early Tillotson, 

Red & yellow rareripe, Cable's Early Meloco- Yellow Alberge, 
Admirable cling, ton. Morris Red Rareripe, 

Old Newington cling. Early York, 

Malta. 

PLUMS. 

Owing to the continued ravages of the curculio, but little has been 
accomplished in the cultivation of this fruit. The Jefferson, Green 
Gage, Columbia and some others produce well ; but the specimens 
hitherto produced do not warrant a definite judgment. The follow- 
ing have been fully tested. Washington (best). Smith's Orleans and 
Drap d'Or, (very good). Imperial Gage, {good,) Coe's Golden Drop, 
good, but too late for this section. 

APRICOTS. 

Breda, (good) Moorpark, (very good) , Hemskirke and Peach, 
(best), are the only ones that have been fully tested. 

GRAPES. 

The best hardy varieties are the Catawba, Isabella and Miller's 
Burgundy. 

STRAWBERRIES. 
^. Best. Very Good. Good. 

Hovey's seedling. Grove End Scarlet, Ross' Phoenix, 
Burr's seedling. Willey's. Iowa. 

The two most formidable enemies (after the curculio) which fruit 
growers have to encounter are the Rose Bug and the Slug. The first 



96 

made a terrible onslaught upon the cherry trees, greedily devouring 
whatever fruit there was. So thorough was the devastation that 
scarcely a perfect cherry was matured this season. The Slug, how- 
ever, has proved a far more destructive foe. In some localities his 
ravages have been dreadful, principally among the cherry and pear 
trees. Thousands of trees have been stripped of their entire foliage, 
and will hardly survive the shock. Numerous remedies have been 
tried, and with various success. A mixture of tobacco juice and 
strong whale-oil soap suds, was effectually used on the bug. Ashes, 
slacked lime and dry dirt, have measurably succeeded in displacing 
the slug. 

I will add that numerous Horticultural Societies have been formed 
in the State and give promise of great usefulness in diffusing informa- 
tion and forming correct taste in relation to the culture of fruit. The 
three most prominent of them are located at Cincinnati, Columbus, 
Dayton and Cleveland, cities, southern, central and northern, soon to 
be connected by railroad which will greatly facilitate interchanges be- 
tween them, and enable these societies to collect, examine and com- 
pare fruit at all seasons of the year. These societies embrace very 
many of our intelligent and most practical pomologists, and from their 
direct, friendly, zealous and determined co-operation, the American 
Congress may in future years expect much valuable aid. 
All which is respectfully submitted. 



Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1849. 



A. McINTOSH. 



MISSOURI. 

REPORT OF THE FRUIT COMMITTEE. 

Owing to the raging of the cholera, and the absence from home of 
some of the members of the Committee, a meeting was not held un- 
til the 12th of October, ]849. 

At this meetmg the outlines of the following brief report were 
agreed upon, and the chairman requested to transmit the same to the 
chairman of the General Fruit Committee. 

The natural soil of this part of the country is a black vegetable 
mould, of perhaps six inches average depth, lying upon a sub-soil of 



97 

yellow clay, under which lies a bluish limestone. Upon this soil 
superior crops of various fruits have been produced. The bottom 
lands of the rivers, made of alluvial soil, have also been tried, and 
though they produce tolerably well, yet the fruit crops are deemed 
inferior, and the trees are believed to be short-lived. 

The Committee are not aware that the superior crops of fruit 
which have been grown are attributable to any particular kind or 
system of manuring. Lime and ashes, however, have been applied 
with beneficial effects, and the necessity of keeping the orchard 
ground in good tilth is very apparent. In young orchards it is deemed 
highly important to cultivate hoed crops for the first five or six years. 
The most profitable market fruits of good quality which appear in 
this market, as yet, are as follows : 

^pp/ei^.— Summer— Early Red Margaret, Early Harvest- 
Autumn — Rambo, White Belle-Fleur, Porter. 
Winter. — Rawles Janet, Green Newtown Pippin, Van- 
dervere. Peck's Pleasant 
Pears.— This fruit is so subject to blight, that, at present, almost 
any variety, which succeeds, is profitable. 

Peaches. — A great variety is produced here, and the trees succeed 
admirably, when kept clear of the worm. The crop, however, is lia- 
ble to fail in part from frosts. Among the most profitable of the 
standard varieties are the Early York, Late Admirable, Incompara- 
ble, Morris' Red and White, Heath, Washington Cling, Lemon 
Clingstone, Grosse Mignonne, &c. Some very excellent seedlings 
are favorites here, and some varieties grow to great size. 

Plums.— The trees are short-lived, and the fruit invariably taken 
by the cutculio. The same may be said of the Nectarines and Ap- 
ricots. 

Cherries. — The Duke and Morello cherries do very well, but the 
finer varieties of sweet or heart cherries cannot be said to succeed 
satisfactorily. The trees grow too rapidly, and after a few years 
burst their bark, and are seriously injured. 

Quinces. — The chmate seems too hot for this fruit, and the trees 
are very subject to the borer and to insect blight. Small crops only 
are obtained. 

The list of varieties, especially of apples, which have been tried 
and condemned, would be large. We may remark that many of the 

7 



98 

best varieties of fruits of the east, change their character here. Asj, 
for example,(the Rhode Island Greening becomes an ordinary fall 
apple; the Jonathan becomes a good fall apple, and so of the Boston 
Russett, and others. 

The best grape yet cultivated for wine, is the Catawba. This is 
cultivated to a considerable extent in different parts of the State, and 
produces a wine resembling Hock. This, however is not deemed sa- 
tisfactory, and efforts are making to produce new varieties from the 
seed. Foreign grapes do not succeed in the open air. 

The American Black is considered one of the best of the Rasp- 
berries cultivated here. Some of the native reds do very well, but 
are not remarkable for their productiveness or flavor. The Antwerps 
do not succeed well. The Fastolff has been recently introduced. 
A species of " Cane " raspberry bears very well. 

Of Currants, the White and Red Dutch, when properly situated 
and cultivated, grow to a large size, bear good crops, and ripen the 
last of June or early in July. 

Gooseberries mildew. 

Of Strawberries, there are many varieties cultivated here, of which 
a sort of Pine, possibly the " Old Pine," is most popular with many 
of those who grow for market. With some, Hovey's Seedling, plant- 
ed with the Iowa male, produces satisfactory crops. 

We annex the following brief table of apples in conformity with 
the arrangement suggested by the chairman of the General Fruit 
Committee. There are a great many other varieties cultivated here, 
some of which, though " best " at the east, are not esteemed as even 
" good " here, and there are many varieties also, which are yet under 
trial, and with which we have not had sufficient experience, as the 
" Cooper," " Putnam Russett," &c.j &c. 

APPLES. 

Good. Very good. Best. 

Summer Queen, Large Yellow Bough, Early Harvest 

Red Astrachan, Fall Pippin, Early Red Margaret, 

Holland Pippin, Porter, Rambo, 

Seeknofurther, Baldwin (Early Winter), Green Newtown Pippin, 

Golden Pippin, White Belle-FIeurj(Fall)Rawle's Janet. 

Peck's Pleasant, Jonathan, (Fall,) 

Vandervere. Priestly. 

The committee are agreed that if they were to plant here but three 



99 

varieties of apple, one for each season, they would be Early Red 
Margaret, Rambo, and Rawle's Janet or Janating, as it is usually called 
here. The peculiar qualities of the lader are, late blooming, great 
and certain productiveness, good flavor and long keeping. 

A new winter apple produced here, called the " Golden Seedling," 
is deemed good. There are several other new varieties, confined to 
particular localities, which are esteemed very good. 

We have not made up a table of pears, because we fear the blight 
will scarcely leave a tree living in the country. Some excellent 
crops, however, have been produced of the White Doyenne, the 
Seckel, the Bartlett, and some varieties grown by the old French in- 
habitants, — names not known. A new variety resembling the Seckel, 
but of large size, has been produced in this vicinity, and is called 
" Mitchell's Russet." All of which is respectfully submitted. 

THO. ALLEN, 
LEWIS BISSELL, 
E. MALLENCHRODT, 
N. REIHL. 
St. Louis, Oct. 12, 1849. 



IOWA. 
REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE. 

Davenport, Sept. 13, 1849. 
A. J. Downing, Esq., Chairman, ^c, JYewhurgh, JV. Y.: 

The committee for the State of Iowa, from their remote positions 
from each other in different parts of the State, are unable to make a 
special report. What I shall have to say, please regard as the crude 
opinions of the chairman, gathered from his limited experience and 
conversations with the best fruit growers in middle Iowa. 

The natural soil of all Iowa is a black mould, of a depth varying 
from twelve to even thirty-six inches. This mould is intermixed 
with sand and clay, in varying proportions ; sometimes the sand pre- 
dominates, r.nd renders the ground easily tilled, and in wet seasons 
exceedingly productive- Sometimes the clay predominates and makes 
a stiff mould, difficult to work, but when well worked, exceedingly 
productive. The sub-soil is usually clay, though strata occur of 



100 

sand, and sand and gravel. Universal observation, wherever apples 
have been tried over the whole State, concurs in opinion that they 
can be successfully cultivated, and both for quality and size are equal 
to any in the Union. The quality of peaches when they hit, is first 
rate, but they are a very uncertain crop. Pears and plums are suffi- 
ciently cultivated to know that excellent can be produced from our 
soil, if we can make the trees live in it, and they are no more liable 
to disease here than all over the west. Cherries of good quality, we 
must acknowledge, that thus far we cannot produce. The common 
Red Cherry grows strongly, is very hardy, and has a small sour fruit 
of little value. All other kinds have winter killed, and some of our 
nurserymen have abandoned their culture. 

We find great difficulty in ascertaining what fruits we grow. We 
are overrun with local names and seedlings, and false kinds without 
number have been palmed on us. 

To return to particular fruits, which have known names, and have 
been tried in this vicinity. ' 

APPLES. 

Early Harvest, propagated under the name of " Tart Bough:" 
quality, size and growth of trees corresponds with our standard 
Downing's fruits, and is the best early dessert apple known. 

Red Astrachan. — First rate for cooking; rather tart for the dessert; 
the tree a vigorous grower, with a most beautiful round head. Dr. 
Weed, of Bloomington, says, " the handsomest apple I have ever 
seen." 

Rambo. — Fruit and tree in every respect first rate. 

Yellow JY. Pippin and Rhode Island Greening. — So far as tried 
have proved very satisfactory. 

Yellow Belle Fleur. — Fruit large, quality best; tree vigorous grow- 
er, and early bearer. It succeeds admirably. 

Romanite. — A very large red apple, of fine flavor from Dec. 1st to 
Feb. 1st; is extensively cultivated in central and southern Illinois, 
under this name, and has found its way here. This is not its true 
name. It is a good apple in its season for the dessert; but it soon be- 
comes mealy. 

The best market apple west of Indiana is, without doubt, the 
Janating, or Rawle's Janat. For rich flavor and productiveness, it 
cannot be surpassed. It is rather below the medium size, to which 
some persons, without good reason, object. 



101 

Pears. — Our experience is limited, but tie Bartlett has borne the 
palm from the others tried here. Seedlings grow very rapidly in 
this climate. One, in this town, made a growth in its main stem, of 
eight feet in height last year, after being transplanted in the spring. 

The best grapes for garden culture here are the Catawba and Isa- 
bella. 

Raspberries, gooseberries and currants, all do well in this climate. 
The canes of the Red Antwerp raspberry are winter killed unless 
protected. 

Apricots, nectarines, and quinces grow rapidly, but have not borne 
fruit long enough with us to be tested. 

We have two horticultural societies, one in middle and the other 
in southern Iowa. Their influence will make a great advance in the 
cultivation of fruits in Iowa, and in another year, you may expect 
reports from both. 

In great haste, your ob't serv't. 

JA'S GRANT, 
Chairman Com.y Iowa. 



KENTUCKY. 

[We extract the following hint, which has the promise of useful- 
ness in it, from a letter addressed to the Convention by the chairman 
of the committee for Ky. Chairman Gen. Fruit Com.\ 

Not a single incident has occurred, within the range of my obser- 
vation, in any degree interesting to the cause of the cultivator, unless 
it should be some trial made by myself with lime in preventing the 
ravages of theCurculio on smooth skinned fruits, the result of which 
I have reported to the Massachusetts Hoticultural Society, and of 
lime, also, as a destroyer of the tetter of cocci^ or white scale insects, 
which infest the orange family and the Oleander. A few trees of 
oranges and lemons, which have for a long time been disfigured and 
enfeebled by myriads of cocci, were last fall so completely dusted 
with lime as to seem white-washed in every part ; and the adhesive 
property of lime kept them white, notwithstanding the action of the 
syringe during winter. The result was an entire destruction of every 
coccus — to the extent that none have since appeared. The trees are 



102 

in great vigor, but I will not undertake to determine how much that 
Yigor is lessened or increased by the action of lime on the leaves 

and branches. Very respectfully, yours, 

L, YOUNG, 

Chairman of Fruit Ccmmitteej For State of Kentucky. 



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 

The undersio-ned -^airman of the committee on Fruits for the Dis- 
trict of Columbia res^ t i fully submits the following report to the con- 
sideration of the Congrt.-: of Fruit-growers. 

The committee regret to y that little has been done by them to 
carry out the purpose intended by their appointment. Owing to the 
great failure of fruit this season, it was thought but little information 
could be obtained either satisfactory to the committee or useful to the 
community at large ; but your committee assure the Congress that the 
importance of the subject is duly appreciated by those who have had 
the honor to be selected, as well as by the citizens of the District of 
Columbia generally, and with great pleasure report that they have re- 
ceived the assurance of a hearty co-operation from most of the fruit 
growers, and trust that when a more propitious season will allow it, 
they will be enabled to add at least a mite to the mass of highly im- 
portant information which your labors will be sure to collect. 

The failure of fruit in this District this season is mainly owing to 
the heavy frosts about the time the trees were coming into bloom. 
The peach seems to be the most important failure here on account of 
the great extent to which we have embarked in its cultivation as a 
crop for the supply of our own and the neighboring markets. Some 
few facts have come under the observation of your committee, which 
though they may be generally known to the practiced cultivator or to 
the man of observation, yet may not be wholly uninteresting to some 
of the community. 

Your committee allude to the exemption of the peach and other 
fruits from the fatal effect of the frost in some particular localities, 
amid the almost total destruction around. It appears evident to this 
committee that the main cause of this exemption referred to the com- 
parative elevation of those localities above the surrounding country. 



103 

If the frost be light the orchards on the low ground s or bottoms only fail, 
whilst all others escape, and in proportion as the cold increases the effect 
reaches to the higher ground, gradually extending upwards; but such is 
the effect produced by the upward tendency of heat and the conse- 
quent settling of cold growing out of the difference in their specific 
gravity. Frost at this season of the year, seldom reaches the points 
of much elevation. In this neighborhood we have situations that al- 
most invariably escape. Such has been the lot of the orchard of Mr. 
George W. Riggs, one of your committee. In 1847 his crop was 
abundant, whilst the orchards immediately around him had scarcely a 
peach, and most of them not a solitary one. In the orchard of Mr. 
CArPTocK, another successful cultivator, on another elevated ridge, 
the effect was the same. In his orchard though the difference be- 
tween the highest and lowest points conM not have been more than 
25 to 30 feet, yet the difference cou' .' De traced in almost every row of 
trees and on those in the lowest places scarcely a peach could be found. 

Mr. Cammock reports that particular sorts, from some constitution- 
al cause, seemed to be more exempt or more hardy than others, yet 
the difference in the different points of elevation was equally evident 
among those as among other sorts. 

The different orchards throughout this section, have been affected 
the present season almost universally in the same way as in 1847 ; 
and though the committee have no means now of ascertaining the 
comparative state of the thermometer at any given point between the 
two seasons, yet they are of opinion that the cold of this year was greater 
than that of 1847. 

As an illustration of the difference of cold in points of different el- 
evation, observations made at two different points in the grounds by 
the chairman of the committee are here introduced, 

A. D. 1835* Jan. 8th, 20 min. before sunrise, top of hill, 4 deg. 
below zero. 

A. D. 1835 Jan. 8th, 20 min. before sunrise, bottom of the hill, 
18| deg. below zero. Difference 14^ deg. 

A. D. 1835, Jan. 9th, same time, top of hill, 12 deg. below zero. 

bottom do, 15| do 

difference 3| deg. 
Jan. 10th, same time, top of hill, 2 deg, above zero. 

bottom do, 7i do 
difference 9^ deg. 

* This was " the cold wiater." 



104 

The highest of the two points where the observations were rflade 
was the spot on which his house stands, 120 feet higher than the other 
point, and only 400 yards distant from it. The house stands at a 
point far below the elevation of much of the surrounding country, and 
had an observation been taken at higher points, no doubt the differ- 
ence would have been greater. The astonishing difference of 14^ 
deg. at a distance of only 400 yards can only be accounted for by the 
extreme stillness of the night, and the total absence of the least mo- 
tion in the air. Had there been such motion, the result could not 
have been the same, as was fairly tested by observation made during 
the high winds of Feb. 7, 8 and 9, in the same year, when not a 
quarter of a degree of difference could be perceived at the two points, 
and what is also somewhat remarkable, the thermometer did not fall 
below 1| degrees above zero, though ovv'ing to a strong current of 
wind, it was generally thought to be the most severely cold weather 
ever experienced here, and so long was the continuance and so strong 
the current that the cold was carried south so as to destroy the orange 
trees near St. Augustine and even to affect the coffee trees in the West 
Indies. 

While the winds continue to blow, but little danger is to be ap- 
prehended, but as they subside the cold concentrates in the lower 
places, and the fruit in such places is consequently destroyed. There 
are other causes which may produce the like effects in other locali- 
ties, such as the heat arising from large bodies of water, which can- 
not be cooled down by a few days current of wind from the north- 
west, and having a higher temperature within them than the surround- 
ing air. As soon as the winds subside the heat naturally arising from 
the water must tend to check the cold, and it must be obvious that a 
few degrees of heat only are required to protect the fruit. Where 
the winds pass over a sheet of water for two or three miles in length, 
when they subside there is only a gentle wafting of the warmth that 
arises from it, just sufficient to create the desired effect. Such was 
the situation of the orchard of Mr. Cromwell, near Baltimore, Md.y 
long known as the unrivalled " peach king " of that city. On a vi- 
sit of Mr. Claerman, of this committtee, to his orchard, about the 
year 1834, he was assured that he cared no more for frost than he 
did what sort of weather he had the year before ; the only effect it 
had was to insure him a good price for his peaches, as it had created 
a scarcity elsewhere, but did no injury to his crop. 



105 

From tlie foregoing facts your committee take the liberty to sug- 
gest to those who possess such situations, to embark largely in peach 
culture, as a crop, when there is a failure in other places, is worth 
more than half a dozen crops of ordinary seasons, and should that 
failure occur only once in seven years, they will find themselves 
amply compensated. 

In the course of our enquiries into these matters, other suggestions 
with regard to protection against frost, have been presented to your 
committee, but they do not deem them of sufficient importance to be 
now presented to this Congress. 

Your committee must further state that the almost incredible im- 
provement produced by judicious cultivation on the Peach and Straw- 
berry, coming under their immediate notice, as such, they cannot 
with propriety pass them by in silence. In the orchard of Mr. Geo. 
W. Riggs, the system of shortening in and thinning by hand, with 
the application of manure and a free use of the plough, have produ- 
ced such improvement in his crop of peaches, that during the glut in 
our market in 1848, when a great portion of the fruit could not be 
consumed, his peaches found regular purchasers at two dollars per 
basket, whilst the average price did not exceed 25 to 40 cents per 
basket. 

Your committee are of opinion that whenever the system is pro- 
perly pursued, the labor and expense will meet an ample remunera- 
tion. 

It is also a well known fact, that whilst bushels of strawberries are 
to be had in our market at 6 to 8 cents per quart, some cultivators 
have been able to get 50 cents per quart for the finest specimens. 

JOSHUA PIERCE, 
Chaiiman of the committee of the District of Columbia. 



VIRGINIA. 

REPORT OF YARDLEY TAYLOR. 

Loudon County J Fa., dtkmo. 18M, 1849. 

Not being able myself to attend the sittings of the Congress of 

Fruit Growers this year, I still feel a deep interest in its proceedings, 

and am willing to aid, as far as I am able, the objects of the Conven-= 

tion. One of these objects, and a very important one to nurserymen 



106 

and fruit growers, is the knowledge of the best varieties suited to 
particular localities, or for general cultivation. This part of Virginia 
is about latitude 39° 10", and in elevation about 500 feet above tide. 
The western half of this county is included within the branches of 
the Blue Ridge range of mountains, which is a continuation of the 
Highlands of New- York. In geological position, it lies between the 
granite and lower secondary formations, including gneiss, the several 
varieties of the slates and their combinations, interspersed with horn- 
blende and quartz, and on the mountain ranges, epidote with clorite 
slate. The whole forming a silicio-argillaceous soil, well adapted to 
the cultivation of grain, grass crops, and fruit trees. 

But little attention has hitherto been paid to the cultivation of the 
latter here, as no market exists of much value for fresh fruit. More 
attention is now being paid to their cultivation than formerly, as many 
are beginning to find out that they might as well have good fruit as 
the indifferent kinds they are accustomed to. Of the varieties 
reported last year, we have the Early Harvest, Large Yellow Bough, 
Fall Pippin, Yellow Belle-Fleur and Newtown Pippin ; all good in 
their season, but ripening here earlier than farther north, and this 
season more so than usual, owing to the very dry summer. The 
Belle-Fleur Apple is now ripe and falling from the trees. Of fruits 
discussed in Convention, the Smoke-house is here considered good. 
We have some varieties here not generally known at the north, five 
of which are described in the Farmer's Encyclopedia of Agriculture, 
by Professor Johnson, Phikulelphia edition, 1S44, article Malus, sec- 
tion Southern Apples, viz: Prioi's Red and Rawle's Janet; the 
latter known here as the Rock-Renmon or Hereford's Streak, and is, 
probably, identical or similar to Downing's Borsdorffer. 

The great desideratum here is, to procure varieties that are good 
keeping apples ; many of those from the north, particularly New Eng- 
land, so far as our experience yet goes, will not here be late keeping 
varieties. They ripen too early to keep well. We had proba- 
bly better look more to the south for winter fruit. There are some 
varieties in this county that bid fair to be valuable as long keepers 
with us, that originated south of James river in Virginia. I propose, 
at some future time, to bring them to the notice of the Convention, as 
well as some other varieties in cultivation, but am not prepared at 

present. 

Peaches succeed well here. It is no uncommon thing to see trees 30 

or 40 years old. The yellows occasionally are seen, and where no 



107 

efForts are made to extirpate those that are affectefl, the disease has in 
some places destroyed many trees ; but where pains have been taken 
to prevent it, the disease seklom appears. In comparing the time of 
ripening with Downing's work where the varieties are recognized, 
they ripen 10 or 12 days earlier than at Newburgh, or New- York. 

Of Pears, Plums and Cherries, so little has been done here, that 
little can be said respecting them ; but they are beprinning to be cul- 
tivated, and after a few years experience we may be able to report 
progress. 

YARDLEY TAYLOR. 

S. B. Parsons, Secretary of the 

American Congress of Fruit Growers. 



GEOKGIA. 

REPORT OF WM. A. WHITE. 

MahshalL p. Wilder, Esq., 

President of JYatio7ial Convention of Fruit Growers : 

Dear Sir : — I enclose herewith lists of fruits which have been 
tried with us in Athens, Georgia, and found fully to sustain their 
character, as described in Downing's work on Fruits. These varie- 
ties have been fully tested in the grounds of M. A. Ward, M. D., 
and in those of the late James Camak, Esq., former editor of the South- 
ern Cultivator. A severe frost with us, in April, the present year, 
after the fruit had set, prevented us from having the first trial of 
many celebrated fruits not in these lists, which this year gave for the 
first time promise of bearing. 

Apples. — Nearly all the best northern fruits have been tried with 
us, and they almost without exception sustain their character for ex- 
cellence ; but our seasons are so long that all the winter fruits ripen 
off early in the fall. We have but one apple that will keep well 
into the winter. This is the Virginia Greening, first described by G. 
E. Hapgood, in the Southern Cultivator, whose description I copy. 

Virgi7iia Greening — Medium size, green color, with dark, clouded 
spots ; matures late, keeps well till spring, and even into summer, in 
this climate ; subject to fewer failures than most other apples ; tree 
an early and good bearer, and not liable to disease ; flesh tender, 



108 

quite juicy, early in the season, but grows dryer and touglier in 

spring. 

Jipricots.—-O\iv best Apricot is " Ringold's Oglethorpe," of which 
the stone was brought from Italy, by the Hon. R. H. Wilde. The 
frost prevents a description of it this year. The Breda, Moorpark, 
and Peach, all prove excellent with us, the White Masculine is bet- 
ter than described, while the Roman is so large, and the quality so 
good that w^e consider it very little inferior to the best. The only 
difficulty in raising this fruit arises from the curculio. 

C/iem«.-"We can raise none with any profit except the Kentishj 
Morello and Mayduke. 

pios.~—Oi the varieties cultivated few are named ; but of these we 
consider the Celestial as the very best. 

Grapes. — The Warrenton is our best grape. Next the Isabella 
and Catawba, but all kinds are subject to rot, except the Scupper- 
nong. The latter, from the tliickness of the skin and the pulpy na- 
ture of the fruit is inferior to the others. It is, however, very free 
from disease. 

JVectariites. — Not fully tested yet, the varieties most celebrated 
have been introduced. 

Peaches. — Of these we have tried the following kinds, and know 
them to be of first quality in our climate. Indeed most peaches here 
fully sustain their character for excellence. We have found these 
excellent here ; viz ; Belle de Vhry, Cooledge's Favorite, Craw- 
ford's Early Melocoton, Crawford's Late do. Early Tillotson, Early 
York, Admirable, George lY, Grosse Mignonne, Heath, Late Admi- 
rable, Lemon Cling, Madeleine de Courson, Malta, Morris White, 
Rareripe, Noblesse, Oldmixon Free, President, Red Rareripe, Royal 
George, Tippecanoe and " Incomparable Admirable." 

Pears. — The Seckel retains fully its excellent quality; it grows two 
or three times its usual size with you, yet one has only to taste them 
to be sure they are the genuine Seckel. The Dix sustains its excel- 
lent quality, but the tree blights more than any othe'-. The White 
Doyenne is free from diseases both of the tree and fruit, the latter 
being fully equal to the best grown at the north. The Beurre Diel 
has met a congenial climate; its quality goes even beyond the de- 
scription in Downing. As our winter pears, except two native varie- 
ties, ripen in November, the Black Worcester proves an acceptable 
eating pear, as under our mild climate its quality is improved. The 



109 

Franklin County Pear and the Lucky Pear, are two kinds native with 
us, of excellent quality, keeping later than any others. As the frost 
has prevented us from obtaining accurate descriptions this year, we 
will supply the deficiency next season. 

I add the entire list of pears found of first quality, so far as we 
have tested, viz: Andrews, Bartlett, Beurre d' Amaulis, (nearly first 
rate,) Beurre de Ranz, Beurre Bosc, Beurre Diel, Bloodgood, Brown 
Beurre, Dearborn's Seedling, Duchesse d'Angoulerae, Dix, Easter 
Beurre, Flemish Beauty, Fondante d'Automne, Frederick de Wur- 
temburg, Glout Morceau, Golden Beurre of Bilboa, Gray Doyenne, 
Jaminette, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Madeleine, Marie Louise, Passe 
Colmar, Seckel, St. Ghislain, Stevens' Genesee, Surpasse Virgalieu, 
Yan Mons Leon le Clerc, White Doyenne, and Winter Nelis. 

Plums. — Our best early plum was raised by Mr. Camak from a 
stone brought from Italy by Hon. Richard Henry Wilde. We call it 
Wild's Plum. It is of the size of Imperial Gage; color, greenish 
yellow, and a clingstone. The Green Gage retains its excellence 
with us, but the tree proves a shy bearer. The great enemy to the 
plum with us, as elsewhere, is the curculio. The following have 
been tested, and found to equal Mr. Downing's description in 
all desirable pqints, viz: Bingham, Coe's Golden Drop, Frost Gage, 
German Prune, Huling's Superb, Imperial Gage, Jefferson, Law- 
rence's Favorite, Large Green Drying, Smith's Orleans, Washington, 
and Brevoort's Purple. 

If the foregoing may in any degree promote the objects of the 
Convention, I shall be gratified to have made this communication. 
Yours very respectfully, 

WM. N. WHITE. 

Athens^ Ga. 



X'^r' 



^>>x^^>j 5> 3^^ jus^^^^ )y.^.^:^ ?_^ 















y y>?y j> ^^.^> y^sx>jj^ > y>y^ rS i^y^ >>> ^^ -^^ 



>-:)>^> y):>^£> :By> y^ ~"^ 
»:>.:'> ,;>^^>zai» ' :i* i> y: 

> »;>^ :>i>:^ y:y^ .^ j> „^:x> >'.L»^:> ' > > ^^ 



i»^.:^ joi^ 



:»>>;> ^ 



y^ yjyy j>yy»> :jk»>2 <t 



' ^j^- >:?o> j>^c» ZM»y^ y' 

-^, m ^-^. -v-^,.-^ ^ .^, _ jy[3».:)yjyy> .^^ ^>^^~? ^?v 

'^' y>:3» 'yyy>.y> y-.:y> ■ ^j^^y y^i 
""'^i :> : ]y:y> y yyE> j^-yy yy^ 

► -^ yyy»> y>j>»y :r> >^ y> j>*^ 
' ..• -^>:>Bf jj j> >;> a> >"Z>-^' . ' :^^ x> y^^J^ 

y yy>li^ > - 3_3> yj^^y^ >:2> >^:> :J 

.^£L ^< ^' ^ y^^j>iy:>^ - y^^ yyx^ ^-y> yj>^^ 

, .-»-^ ^-^ -~*^ y-^^' ^iytyx> ^ yyy ^-^>'- -- 



p ' ' .>I3^ ^y>y>) "~L 

>y>y>j^ _!►■• ../ y~- 

y:yy^"~ ^' 

="^ --* -/ y yj> y j^y y> yjism> "- 
^yy y ^ J>y:» )m$ 



y->^^y:y>jl> 



jj)^yy:>-^y> 






>y yp ym yy^:^ £)jy y >3> '» n^y:L^j >> 
yyyy >yy ^ yiyy 

■'?5j>3 > y> y» y^>^ 
>^m> y .'•>>> ._:»i>^ 

"y! ^ yyyyy :» yyjy 

yy>y jyyy >>» , — 

>M> y ..j.}» > > y^y>3> > 

y ^i> y j-yyt^ >>>'>'^ 

> ;a> > > i>> j> > .::^_; 

^^l> J^y yy * ^.€>> »?a^ : 
-^yt^:£My2> ^.My' y> y >=>^- 

.^X»i> ^^> -^ ^ >'''-3.^ ^ 

• js>y y ^' > >:>^'>'.> ^^^0>-^^s> 5i 
o .:>>>» >^ ■'y-:»>y • >> 2^ 'y '> > 

^3"^^. -^^ '^ -^'y^^y^^y>:^y-:> y> 
p^ M> yy y^ > > 53fc» '>::>_:> >:> » 



a^i^ y» '"y ys> 



?*5^ > ■ "3^. 



3^ y>^.j0^ ■'yj^ii^f'y ^> ' 






. yymy o:m>,^-^ 



mv3^3:>:> 






3^ >:> >^ ^ « 


















>r.^Li3' 3^?,A 






J*0>^f>Z> :• \ 



3 >'^j>:i> -■ -^_. 



>3> ::^ > 



™«.^^ 5^s) ^>:>£i> 






























^■^:>^'^^^^^l 















:>oi>i>; 









■:».:388' >>3.$:>-:> :>^^:je>i> 3>_f.'.:i>^ ^^ ^^^< ^ > ^^^ > 



